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    PORTENTOUS/PRETENTIOUS

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “portentous” and “pretentious”)

    “Portentous,” related to “portent,”
    Is never pronounced as portentious.
    “Pretentious” may be the intention,
    For “pretense” is thusly egregious.

    Since portents are signs or omens,
    “Portentous” relates to “momentous”
    Though just as like to “ominous,”
    While stretching in wonder to “pompous.”

    Importance implied by “momentous”
    Relates to a nature most serious;
    “Portentous” may speak of a person
    Who seeks to impress as prodigious.

    This self-importance a basis
    May find in real life for that person.
    Instead, for the merely “pretentious,”
    It's dream or pretense beyond reason.

    Affectedly arrogant, haughty
    Are synonyms two of many.
    The key to “pretentious” is falsity, 
    Of truth it’s natch the enemy.

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    VOCATION/AVOCATION

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “vocation” and “avocation”)

    One's “vocation” is the thing at which he works
    For his main source of income and his perqs.
    From it, he may vacation
    To ply his “avocation,”
    A diversion as enjoyed as any clerk's.

    In our yard was a dog called Nick,
    With a voice that was loud and thick;
    To bark was his “vocation,”
    To sniff, his “avocation,”
    For the former was his calling and his shtick.

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    EXCEPTIONABLE/EXCEPTIONAL

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “exceptionable” and “exceptional”)

    To take exception, one finds fault
    With items thus excluded;
    “Exceptionable” such things are,
    On hand to be “excepted.”

    The “able” adds the perfect clue,
    Thus “open to objection.”
    “Objectionable” it will mean,
    A negative condition.

    “Exceptional” though is positive
    In almost all its usage,
    Describing things above the norm,
    “Superior” in their carriage.

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    INSURE/ENSURE

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “insure” and “ensure”)

    Restrict your “insuring” to finance
    And use of “ensuring” thus enhance.
    Since “ensure” guarantees,
    While “insure” has its fees,
    Some coins you will save in your pants.

    ​More versatile “ensure” than “insure,”
    With certainty for situations more. 
    In the case of money paid
    In advance to loss abate,
    Consider for appropriateness “insure.”

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    TACK/TACT

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “tack” and “tact”)

    A multipurpose noun is “tack”
    In nags and nails and sails,
    Referring there with meanings clear
    Like "course" per more details.

    A verb as well is our friend "tack,"
    To prove his worth and act,
    Impressive more than all-trade Jack,
    And caring not for tact.

    For only nouns may "tact" address,
    Itself a case of one.
    "Avoid offense" its mantra strong,
    The prize for calm thus won.

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    LOATH/LOATHE

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “loath” and “loathe”)

    Though “loath” and “loathe” may sound the same,
    When played, their meanings part,
    For one will serve as adjective,
    The other, verb at heart.

    While “loath” describes reluctance mere,
    The “e” of “loathe” extends
    Its meaning to extremity:
    “To feel dislike intense.”

    When “loath” and “loathe” for share appear,
    Decipher whether verb;
    The latter word may then be clear
    Or hint at room for curb.