Ariel Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Homophones are words that sound the same, but have different meanings. Sometimes the spelling is different, and sometimes it's the same. In speaking, you can only tell what a person means by the context of their sentenceExamples:Compliment = Praising someone/somethingComplement = Goes well withFlower = A fragrant, pretty plantFlour = Baking ingredientVein = Blood vessels in the bodyVain = Only cares about appearancesWeak = Frail, delicateWeek = Time period of 7 daysCan anyone think of any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraM Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Yes, homophones are fascinating, but can be frustrating when learning the language. Here are a few I thought of. peace = the absence of war piece = a part or portion of something largerfisher = someone who fishes, or catches fishfissure = a long, narrow openingcarrot = a vegetablecarat = a unit for weighing precious stones and gemswry = dry humor, sarcastic, mocking, ironicrye = a grain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWL Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 In the country where I was born, British English was and still is the standard and the basis of our vernacular speech. I grew up listening to English accents and regarding them as normal while an American accent would be very strange and sound like something out of a Hollywood movie.In most parts of the UK which are non-rhotic, meaning they do not pronounce the "r" at the ends of syllables, so "pawn" and "porn" are pronounced in the exact same way.There is a popular American reality TV series called "Pawnstars". The UK spin-off trailers had the cast say lines like "I'm a pawnstar" which when pronounced in a London accent, sounds just like "I'm a pornstar"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahRTW Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Too = an excessive amount (You have too many toys)Too = also (Its too cold in Winter)Two = The Number 2(I have two cats)To = MANY meanings. Here are some examples1. Direction between or towards something (I am going to the store)2. Part of a verb infinitive ("to be", "to go") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahRTW Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 Aloud, Allowed Aloud mean to say something verbally. To say something "out loud" rather than thinking it"Oops. Did I say that aloud?"Allowed means something is permitted. "Seeing-eye dogs are allowed on the bus." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daedalus Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 One that causes a lot of anger in online discussions is the incorrect use of any of these homophones:They're, short for "They are". Example: "They are coming to see us" / "They're coming to see us"Their, meaning 'from them'. Example: "Their cat is very furry"There, often referring to a place. Example: "They live over there"Or used with the verb 'to be'. Example: "There is something about Mary" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekernel Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Kernel: The body of a seed within its huskColonel: Military rankSleigh: A sledSlay: To murderCollar: Anything worn or placed around the neckCaller: One who callsLyre: Ancient Greek musical instrumentLiar: One who liesRaze: To tear down or demolishRaise: To elevate or bring to higher position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_Bachman Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Mary = a woman's name; the mother of Jesusmarry = to wed someone, become husband and wifemerry = happy, joyous (mood)Interestingly, though, these are only homophones to some speakers of English (as they are for me-- I'm from the southwestern United States, not sure to what extent it's dialectal). Any speakers of other English dialects beg to differ about them being homophones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahRTW Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Thanks the the "they're/there/their" one, Daedalus. I was going to post that, as its a pet peeve of mine!Wander vs Wonder (this one annoys me too, because my mom always gets it wrong) Not exactly the same, but pronounced close enough that it counts:Both are verbs. To "Wander" means to walk about aimlessly""All who wander are not lost""To Wonder" means to "ponder or question""I wonder why the sky is blue?"Both in a sentence together "I wandered about the field, wondering how long the warm weather would last" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutin Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 I think Homophones are funny words because they can cause someone to stumble while writing. I use to make mistakes with homophones, with time and experience I learned that consciously I have to be aware of these common words that sound the same but spell differently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekernel Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Praise: The expression of approval, commendationPreys: To seize and devour as an animal doesHokes: Alters or manipulates to superficially improve qualityHoax: Something intended to deceive or defraudTier: A layer or levelTear: Drop of liquid secreted by the eyeWhirled: Rotated rapidlyWorld: The earth, the globeDescent: The act of moving to a lower positionDissent: To differ in opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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