The words “yoke” and “yolk” sound similar, but they mean different things. As such, you won’t want to use the wrong spelling in your work.
Check out our guide below and find out how to use them correctly.
As a noun, “yoke” refers to a wooden bar used to connect two farm animals (usually cattle or draft horses) so they can pull a cart or plough together:
The yoke was heavy on the horses’ necks.
But you can also use this word in figurative sense, where it refers to a restriction or burden placed on a person or group of people:
After three years, she threw off the yoke of marriage.
The people lived under the yoke of slavery.
In addition, you can use “yoke” as a verb to describe the act of putting a yoke on someone or something. This can be either literal (i.e., the agricultural tool mentioned above) or figurative (i.e., an unfair restriction). For instance:
The farmer yoked the cattle ready for ploughing.
They had been yoked by marriage for twenty years.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
However you use this word, though, it is always spelled “yoke.”
“Yolk” is a noun that refers to the yellow bit in the middle of an egg:
He likes his egg yolks runny.
The embryonic bird feeds on the yolk as it develops.
The recipe says to separate the yolk from the white.
The word comes from an Old English word meaning “yellow.”
These words sound similar, but they have very different meanings:
If you struggle to remember which is which, think of a hen laying an egg to remind you that “yolk” has an “l” in it. And if you’d like any more help with your writing, you can get your work proofread by our expert editors.
Submit a free 500-word sample document today to find out more!
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...