Have Some M and N’s: More Confusing Words

Image by pixel1 from Pixabay

Today we continue the confusing words series with M and N words Check these out:

Mantel/Mantle: Mantel is the frame around your fireplace. Mantle refers to something that covers or cloaks.

We always hang our Christmas stockings on the mantel. He appeared under the mantle of night.

Many/Much: Many is used for plurals and things that can be counted. Much is used for things that cannot be counted.

I have many items arriving from Amazon. There is too much pepper in the mac and cheese!

May be/Maybe: May be is the same as might be. Maybe means possibly.

She may be visiting next week. Maybe she will visit next week.

May/Might: May implies permission or probability. Might implies probability as well. The words are very close in meaning – and often interchangeable  when they imply possibility/probability. However, it is accepted that may is used when something is more likely to occur than when might is used.

Yes, you may pet the dog. I may visit next week. I might visit next week. 
Here is another use of might: I wish you wouldn’t have gone skydiving; you might have gotten hurt or worse!

Meat/Meet/Mete: Meat is what you eat (unless you are a vegetarian, pescatarian, etc.). Meet is when you greet. And mete, the least common of the group, means to distribute or dole out.

I love meat and potatoes. I will meet you at eleven. She meted out the beef stew in equal portions to all the students.

Moot/Mute: Often misused, moot is not worth discussion or pointless. Mute is the inability to speak. 

That is a moot point (not mute). The little boy was mute and used hand signals.

More important/More importantly: More important is a phrase used in comparison. More importantly is usually used in transition.

Doing your best is more important than winning. More importantly, a good attitude is essential in competition.

News, mathematics, physics, and other such words: These words are singular even though they appear to be plural. They take a singular verb.

The news is good. Mathematics is my favorite subject. Physics confuses me. 

Be safe. Stay home (if you can). Wear a mask. 
2021 will be better.
Still looking for guest bloggers! And ideas!