Homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings) can be confusing. They’re one of those things that makes English a challenging language to learn.
People often confuse which, witch, and wich.
Which is an interrogative pronoun. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as “being what one or ones out of a group.” It’s used to ask for or specify information.
Example: Which costume will you wear for Halloween?
A witch (a noun) is a person believed to have magic power.
Example: I will dress as a witch.
There’s also wich (a noun), which means a bundle of thread. (It’s also a slang term for “sandwich.”)
Example: A wich is made up of thread.
It’s easy to mix up these words.
Which and witch are used more frequently than wich. Here’s a way to remember the correct word and spelling to use:
The “t” in witch is tall like a witch’s hat; so the tall “t” can remind you of a witch. Which and wich don’t have a “t.”
The “wh” in which is similar to the “wh” in other interrogative pronouns: what, who, whom, and whose. These pronouns are used to ask questions. Which is often used to ask a question; so the “wh” can remind you of a question.
Double-check your writing to ensure you’ve used the correct word and spelling. Don’t rely on spell check; it doesn’t know what your intended meaning is, and it won’t correct homophones. It doesn’t know which witch you want.
