Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
EEK / EKE
The word eek is an exclamation used to show surprise or horror. The verb eke, usually followed by the adverb out, means to make, accomplish, or extend with difficulty or just barely as in eke out a living or eke out a victory.
INCORRECT: Eke! I just saw a mouse! How am I supposed to eek out a living in this rodent-infested environment?
CORRECT: Eek! I just saw a mouse! How am I supposed to eke out a living in this rodent-infested environment?
MEMORY HACK: Just think of the sound one might make upon encountering a mouse in the cupboard: Eeeee! And then remember that the spelling for such an exclamation would be eek, beginning with two E’s instead of just one.
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