Homonyms and commonly confused words

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Homonyms and Commonly confused words

Definition • What is a homonym? – It is one of a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation (sound) but have different meanings and/or origin.

Explanation • The following most confused words are known as homonyms.

They have the same sounds but different meaning and spelling.

• Homonyms need to be constantly clarified, specially in conversations; whereas written, the difference can be seen.

•

Also, there can be homonyms that function as verbs and as nouns.

– Examples: • Yesterday, I saw a bear in the zoo.

• I cannot bear this situation any longer.

Common Homonyms Principal Principle

To Too Two

Know No

Right Write

Wear Where

Coarse Course

Pair Pear

Than Then

Weather Whether

Hear Here

Passed Past

Their There They’re

Whose Who’s

Hole Whole

Peace Piece

Threw Through

Your You’re

Its It’s

Plain Plane

All Ready Already

Knew New

Brake Break

Basic Spelling Rules • Here are three rules that may improve your skills on basic spelling to differentiate among homonyms or other parts of speech: 1. Change y to i– When a word ends in a consonant plus y, change the y to i when you add an ending.

Try

+ ed =

Tried

Worry

+ es =

Worries

Lucky

+ ly =

Luckily

Marry

+ es =

Marries

Lazy

+ ness =

Lazyness

Silly

+ est =

Silliest

Basic Spelling Rules 2. Final silent e – Drop the final e before an ending that starts with a vowel (a,e,I,o,u)

Hope

+ ing=

Hoping

Fine

+ est=

Finest

Sense

+ ible=

Sensible

Hide

+ ing=

Hiding

Basic Spelling Rules 2. Keep the final e before an ending that starts with a consonant.

Use

+ ful=

Useful

Life

+ like=

Lifelike

Care

+ less=

Careless

Settle

+ ment=

Settlement

Basic Spelling Rules 3. Doubling the final consonant of a word when the following: a) The word is one syllable or is accented on the last syllable. b) The word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel. c) The ending you are adding starts with a vowel.

Sob

+ ing =

Drop

+ ed =

Admit

+ ing=

Big

+ est=

Omit

+ ed=

Begin

+ ing=

Sob

Practice(KEY) 1. “The Tell-Tale heart� is a short-story by Edgar Allan Poe. 2. I cannot go to the party; but I really want to.

3. Could you speak louder ? I can barely hear you.

4. The whole rabbit family fell into the hole.

5. The diamond lost its shine.

6. Your intelligence amazes me.

7. Do you know where is the nearest coffee shop?

8. I could wear my favorite black dress for Michael's party.

9. I heard a creak near the door.

10. Our professor is Mr. Sharp.

Theirs is Mr. Olsen.

References • Lagan, J. (2012). Exploring Writing: Sentences and Paragraphs 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill.

• Langan, J. (2011). English Skills 10TH EDITION. McGraw-Hill.

Created by: • Prof. María Isaac – English Coordinator • Cristabel R. Ocasio Ilarraza – English Tutor

November 2010