UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA VICERRECTORÍA ASOCIADA DE DESARROLLO Y RETENCIÓN
Programa de Tutorías
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