Hooked on homophones
May 15th 2009 17:03
My son, a second-grader, is learning about homophones this year. One afternoon, as I quizzed him on some vocabulary and spelling, I realised that I--a self-professed English geek--at some point in the intervening years between school and now, had somehow mixed up homophones and homonyms. Here, then, is a refresher.
1. to and too
I am going to bake my darling a cake.
I hope that it will not be too sweet.
2. lead and led
There are traces of lead in this paint.
My conclusions have led me to boycott this company.
3. bare and bear
Please take only the bare necessities when you go camping.
But I won't be able to bear it should you be mauled by a bear.
Note: Remember when the media first started noticing Michelle Obama's fashion sense, and her tendency to wear sleeveless dresses? Many journalists punningly commented that she exercised her "right to bare arms". The pun plays on the homophones bare/bear and the homonym arms.
4. role and roll
Last night was my debut in the role of Eliza Doolittle.
A theatregoer threw a stale dinner roll at me.
5. your and you're
Your necktie is so fascinating.
I think you're going to be a hit with my parents.
See wikipedia's entry on homonyms for more detailed information on these and related terms.
Homophones are words that share the same pronunciation, but have different meanings. They can be spelled the same or differently. Examples include to/two, no/know, see/sea.Homonyms and homophones are good to know about. They help you avoid some forehead-slapping errors in your own writing. They're the reason why puns are funny. However, homonyms don't cause errors in writing, since they're spelled the same, but homophones? They're another matter entirely. Use of the wrong homophone is one of the commonest mistakes that writers make. The list below descibes some that I notice often (note that the hyperlinked words link to their respective dictionary entries at Merriam-Webster.):
Homonyms are words that share the same pronunciation and spelling but differ in meaning. Examples include rose (the flower and the past tense of rise), stall (a place for your horse and to cause to come to a stop), right (opposite of left, correct, etc.).
1. to and too
I am going to bake my darling a cake.
I hope that it will not be too sweet.
2. lead and led
There are traces of lead in this paint.
My conclusions have led me to boycott this company.
3. bare and bear
Please take only the bare necessities when you go camping.
But I won't be able to bear it should you be mauled by a bear.
Note: Remember when the media first started noticing Michelle Obama's fashion sense, and her tendency to wear sleeveless dresses? Many journalists punningly commented that she exercised her "right to bare arms". The pun plays on the homophones bare/bear and the homonym arms.
4. role and roll
Last night was my debut in the role of Eliza Doolittle.
A theatregoer threw a stale dinner roll at me.
5. your and you're
Your necktie is so fascinating.
I think you're going to be a hit with my parents.
See wikipedia's entry on homonyms for more detailed information on these and related terms.
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Comment by MImi
Yes - I got this refresher as well when I was completing my grade 1 practicum. I don't really remember the use of the word homophone in elementary school but am certain that I learned them... and learned them well. I don't make to many of these common mistakes in my writing - I hope you don't too ; )
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I just have to remember that.
My nym is.
Hello.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power