Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
AUGER / AUGUR
The noun auger refers to a type of tool with a helical (spiral) shaft, often used for boring holes in wood. The noun augur refers to someone who is believed to be able to predict the future by use of omens. And the verb augur means to foretell the future, especially by means of omens.
INCORRECT: The carpenter asked his assistant to hand him the augur.
CORRECT: The carpenter asked his assistant to hand him the auger.
INCORRECT: The auger told the pregnant woman that she would have triplets.
CORRECT: The augur told the pregnant woman that she would have triplets.
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