Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse writers. I have found the following to be among them:
PERIMETER / PARAMETER
While both of these nouns can refer to outer limits, perimeter relates specifically to the boundary of a closed two-dimensional figure on a geometrical plane. It can also mean the outer boundary of a physical property, such as a piece of land. The word parameter, on the other hand, is often used in the plural and indicates the basic elements or characteristics of something. For example, if you wanted to include gymnastics in your routine for a dance contest, you might ask, “Do gymnastics fall within the accepted parameters for this contest?”
INCORRECT: What is the parameter of the rectangle?
CORRECT: What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
INCORRECT: What are the perimeters for a Petrarchan sonnet?
CORRECT: What are the parameters for a Petrarchan sonnet?
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