1) ATHIEST / ATHEIST
An atheist is the opposite of a theist. Theos is Greek for “god.” Make sure the “TH” is followed immediately by an “E.”
2) ATTRIBUTE/CONTRIBUTE
When trying to give credit to someone, say that you attribute your success to their help, not contribute. (Of course, a politician may attribute his success to those who contribute to his campaign fund, but probably only in private.)
3) AURAL/ORAL
“Aural” has to do with things you hear, “oral” with things you say, or relating to your mouth.
4) AUGER/AUGUR
An augur was an ancient Roman prophet, and as a verb the word means “foretell”—“their love augurs well for a successful marriage.” Don’t mix this word up with “auger,” a tool for boring holes. Some people mishear the phrase “augurs well” as “all goes well” and mistakenly use that instead.
5) AVOCATION/VOCATION
Your avocation is just your hobby; don’t mix it up with your job: your vocation.