Imagine you’re writing an email to a client, and you type:

“We except your proposal and look forward to working together.”

Sounds professional, right? Wrong.

The correct word should be “accept,” not “except.” That small mistake could confuse the reader or even make them question your attention to detail.

Homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings – are a frequent source of mistakes in business communication. Choosing the wrong word can change the meaning of your message and make you appear unprofessional.

To help you avoid these slip-ups, here are 12 business-related homophones you should be careful with when writing emails.

Homophones in Business English

1. Accept / Except

• Accept means to agree to something.
  • We are happy to accept your offer.
  • She accepted the job offer immediately.
• Except means “excluding.”
  • All team members will attend the meeting except John.
  • The new policy applies to all departments except Finance.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ We except your proposal and will send the contract soon.
✅ We accept your proposal and will send the contract soon.

2. Advice / Advise

• Advice is a noun, meaning a recommendation.
  • Her advice on client negotiations was helpful.
  • I need some advice on improving sales performance.
• Advise is a verb, meaning to give a recommendation.
  • I will advise you on the best strategy tomorrow.
  • The legal team advised us to revise the contract.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Can you advice me on the next steps?
✅ Can you advise me on the next steps?

3. Capital / Capitol

• Capital refers to financial assets or an important city.
  • The company needs more capital to expand operations.
  • London is the capital of the UK.
• Capitol refers to a government building.
  • The meeting was held at the state capitol.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ We’re looking for additional capitol to fund our project.
✅ We’re looking for additional capital to fund our project.

4. Complement / Compliment

• Complement means something that enhances or goes well with something else.
  • Our services complement your existing marketing strategy.
  • The software update is a great complement to the current system.
• Compliment means a polite expression of praise.
  • She received a compliment on her presentation skills.
  • Thank you for the compliment on my work.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Our new product is a perfect compliment to your portfolio.
✅ Our new product is a perfect complement to your portfolio.

5. Principal / Principle

• Principal means the most important or a leader.
  • The principal reason for the merger is market expansion.
  • She is the principal consultant in the firm.
• Principle refers to a fundamental belief or rule.
  • Integrity is a key principle in our business.
  • The company operates on strong ethical principles.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Our company is built on strong business principals.
✅ Our company is built on strong business principles.

6. Stationary / Stationery

• Stationary means not moving.
  • The stock price remained stationary despite the news.
• Stationery refers to office supplies like paper and pens.
  • The office ordered new stationery for the team.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Please order more stationary for the office.
✅ Please order more stationery for the office.

7. Ensure / Insure

• Ensure means to make certain.
  • We must ensure the report is accurate before sending it.
• Insure means to provide insurance.
  • The company insures all its assets against damage.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ We need to insure that all payments are processed on time.
✅ We need to ensure that all payments are processed on time.

8. Forth / Fourth

• Forth means forward or onward.
  • We will move forth with the hiring process next week.
• Fourth refers to the number four.
  • The quarterly review is scheduled for the fourth of May.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Let’s put fourth our best effort on this project.
✅ Let’s put forth our best effort on this project.

9. Assent / Ascent

• Assent means agreement or approval.
  • The manager gave her assent to the project proposal.
• Ascent means an upward movement.
  • The stock market showed a strong ascent today.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ We need his ascent before finalizing the contract.
✅ We need his assent before finalizing the contract.

10. Discreet / Discrete

• Discreet means careful or private.
  • The HR team handled the resignation in a discreet manner.
• Discrete means separate or distinct.
  • The company has discrete business units for different regions.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ Our IT department manages data in discreet categories.
✅ Our IT department manages data in discrete categories.

11. Incite / Insight

• Incite = To provoke or encourage action.
  • His words may incite controversy.
• Insight = A deep understanding.
  • Her insight into market trends is invaluable.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ The consultant provided valuable incite into the problem.
✅ The consultant provided valuable insight into the problem.

12. Discreet / Discrete

• Discreet = Careful or confidential.
  • Please be discreet when discussing salary negotiations.
• Discrete = Separate or distinct.
  • We will analyze the data in discrete sections.

🚨 Common mistake:
❌ We need to handle client data in a discrete manner.
✅ We need to handle client data in a discreet manner.

The Importance of Business English in Professional Settings

Correct usage of business English can boost your credibility, improve professional communication, and avoid costly misunderstandings. Small mistakes in emails may seem minor, but they impact how colleagues, clients, and managers perceive your attention to detail.

Improve Your Business English with ELSA

Want to improve your writing, pronunciation, and business communication? The ELSA Speak app helps professionals refine their English skills using AI-powered speech recognition.

With ELSA, you can:

• Master business vocabulary with interactive lessons.
• Perfect your pronunciation to sound more professional.
• Boost confidence in meetings, emails, and presentations.

Keep reading about homophones here.