Home and Hone

The verbs home and hone have long been confused for the simple reason that they sound alike, and many of us have listened to information more often than we have read it. Unfortunately, as Ms. Picky feared, this particular misusage is beginning to pass into acceptance in some quarters. Some so-called experts have actually given up the ghost and allowed, even certified, the incorrect usage with the use of the phrase "honed in on." Do not be swayed by such a laissez-faire attitude toward language. Contrary to what you might read in what passes for a dictionary today, hone relates only to figurative or literal sharpening, and home relates to focusing. In matters of correct speech, stand with Ms. Picky, a little to the right of Attila the Hun.

Home
Home (usually used with the particle in and the preposition on) means to focus one's attention on something.

Examples:
The speaker homed in on the inherent risks of derivatives.
The IRS agent homed in on the expense account items.

Hone
Hone, on the other hand, means to sharpen, or to improve or refine over a period of time.

Examples:
He honed the blade on a stone.
She honed her years of studying French by working in Paris for a year.

Mnemonic Device:
To remember which is which, think of the rhyme with hone and stone; one would hone a knife with a stone. Think of homing pigeons. Think of whatever you like, but avoid slovenly speech, and do not misuse these two words!

Next Week's Post: Loath and Loathe