It has been said that English is one of the hardest languages to learn. It definitely has its tricks and mysteries.
One of the hardest things about learning the English language is learning when and where to use the right word, especially when it comes to homonyms. If you are planning to go to an ESL school then a big part of your learning will include the proper use of homonyms.
The first pointer to understand is the difference between a homonym and a homophone.
Homonym defines two words that are spelled and pronounced the exact same way but actually have different meanings.
Homophone defines two words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently and have different meanings.
Unfortunately there is no way to handle using the right word for your purpose other than memorizing them. Homonyms and homophones really only matter in the written language obviously, as no one knows which one you’re using when you’re speaking! Building a list of homonyms as you go will help to serve as a reference in your English writing.
There are numerous websites and workbooks available that provide exercises for practicing the correct use of homonyms. Below is a list of some of the most common homonyms that you are likely to use most often.
Ate…. past tense of eat Eight …the number 8
Bare….naked Bear…..an animal
Be……to exist Bee…..a stinging insect
Been….Past tense of be Bean….a vegetable
Bye….farewell Buy….Purchase
Deer…an animal Dear…cherished
Fair….Equal Fare…toll charge
Feet…plural of foot Feat…..accomplishment
Find…locate Fined….given a penalty
Flower….vegetation Flour……a grain
For…in place of Four…number 4
Hi…a greeting High…way up
Hours…60 minutes Ours….belonging to us
Knows…has learned Nose….Facial feature
Lone…by oneself Loan….borrow
Made…created Maid…young woman
Marry…to wed Merry…Happy
Meat….animal flesh Meet….get together
One…singular Won…past tense of win
Pair…put in twos Pear…a fruit
To……towards Too….also Two…number 2
There…a place Their..belonging to them They’re…they are
Vary..to change Very…..extremely
Wait…stay ready Weight….Heaviness
Wear…attire Where…a place
Weak…feeble Week…7 days
Which…selection Witch……hag
Wood…tree Would….will do
These are just a few of the main homonyms found in everyday English. Homophones are somewhat harder to list as they are less common. Some examples are chair, the piece of furniture, and chair, to run a committee or meeting: cleave, to cut and cleave to cling to: game, an activity, game, wild animal: Without a doubt, learning where and when to use the right word, and getting the spelling correct, are two of the most difficult skills to master when taking an ESL program.
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