Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, we will discuss illicit vs. elicit. Do you know the difference between them?
Illicit and Elicit are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think.
So, let's dive right in, shall we?
Illicit refers to something illegal, forbidden, or unlawful.
* They were arrested for selling illicit drugs.
* It would be difficult to keep their illicit meeting a secret.
* Their company is always engaged in illicit practices.
Elicit means to draw out, call out, or call forth (such as information or a response).
* Your badgering will elicit a negative response.
* My joke elicited no response from the crowd.
* I want to elicit as many sympathy votes as possible.
Call Edit This® in Denton, TX, for all your writing and editing needs.
It's fun to tease friends on Facebook for grammar mistakes or point out errors in other written copy. But any spelling or grammar error in business writing – brochures, website copy, blog posts, press releases, newsletters, etc. – wreaks havoc on your company's image. Studies show that when choosing between two companies, customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
We hope you enjoyed today's blog on Illicit vs. Elicit. If you're interested in having Edit This® handle your company's content writing and editing needs, give us a call today! We can write copy from scratch or spruce up what you've already written. When it comes to grammar, everyone could use an extra set of eyes.
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.