Please note the difference:
HOMOPHONES are words that sound the same but have different meanings, eg:
- wait (the verb) and weight (how heavy something is)
HOMONYMS are a kind of homophone words that are written and said the same way but have different meanings.
Examples of HOMONYMS are:
- club – somewhere to dance and . . .
- club – large, heavy object that people get hit with.
- rock – a type of music and . . .
- rock – made of stone.
HOMOGRAPHS are words that are written the same way, but pronounced differently.
Examples of HOMOGRAPHS include:
- to wind a clock but blowing wind.
- rose, the flower and rose, past tense of the verb to rise.
- book is something we read and book is to schedule something.
To help you improve spelling skills for each word listed below, I have included the most homophone common meanings focusing on:
- part of speech (sometimes)
- a very brief definition
- a sentence to test your understanding of the homophone word/s.
Please note that the following scenarios are the most commonly used cases; but as is quite common in our language, there are always exceptions!
1. which/witch/wich
- Use which as a pronoun when referring to things or animals.
- Use witch to mean a scary or nasty person.
- Wich is to do with minerals, salt works; a salt producing town.
Using the correct use of which/witch/wich, fill in the sentences:
- Tad wore his favorite brown shoes, . . . he received as a birthday gift.
- The Halloween . . . decorations must finally come down off of the wall!
2. principle/principal
- Use principle as a noun meaning a basic truth or law.
- Use principal as a noun meaning the head of a school or organization, or a sum of money.
Using the correct use of principle/principal, fill in the sentences:
- Many important life . . . are learned in kindergarten.
- The . . . is a well-respected member of the community.
3. stationary/stationery
- Stationary means unmoving.
- Stationery refers to writing materials, eg: pens, books, pencils, etc
Using the correct use of stationary/stationery, fill in the sentences:
- The revolving door remained . . . because Shona was pushing on it the wrong way.
- Tad printed his résumé on his best . . . .
4. rain/reign/rein
- rain (n.) precipitation; (v.) drizzle, shower.
- reign (n.) time in power; (v.) to rule.
- rein (n.) a strap to control an animal.
Using the correct use of rain/reign/rein, fill in the sentences:
- The . . . poured down all day.
- The king’s . . . was very brief.
- Pull on the . . . when you want the horse to stop.
5. stair/stare
- stair (n.) step.
- stare (v.) to look intently in one place.
Using the correct use of stair/stare, fill in the sentences:
- The bottom . . . is broken, so please be careful when you go down.
- I couldn’t help but . . . at the man as he came down to us.
6. main/mane
- main (adj.) most important.
- mane (n.) long hair on the neck of an animal.
Using the correct use of main/mane, fill in the sentences:
- The speaker’s . . . point was that we can all fight poverty.
- The little girl hung on to the horse’s . . . when it started galloping.
7. stake/steak
- stake (n.) a thin pointed stick or post that is driven into the ground; mark off.
- steak (n.) a piece of meat or fish.
Using the correct use of stake/steak, fill in the sentences:
- Since we were missing a . . . , we couldn’t finish putting up the tent.
- He ordered a sirloin . . . and baked potato.
8. steal/steel
- steal (v.) to take something without permission.
- steel (n.) a strong metal made of iron and carbon.
Using the correct use of steal/steel, fill in the sentences:
- It is not good to . . . money from anyone.
- Many buildings are constructed with . . . frames.
9. imminent/eminent/immanent
- imminent is something likely to happen.
- Eminent can refer to a person of high rank or repute or anything that noticeably pokes out like “an eminent nose.”
- immanent is an inherent or inborn; ingrained, built-in.
Using the correct use of imminent/eminent/immanent, fill in the sentences:
- The rainy season is . . .
- Kofi Annan was an . . . person in resolving many conflicts.
- The protection of human rights is . . . to many governments around the world.
10. exercise/exorcise
- Exercise is a physical activity; to do physical activity.
- Exorcise is to drive out an evil spirit
Using the correct use of exercise/exorcise, fill in the sentences:
- They . . . the troublesome spirit.
- Ted took the . . . seriously.
11. insolate/insulate
- Insolate refers to an exposure to the sun’s rays.
- Insulate involves using various materials to prevent the leakage of heat.
- NOTICE: Insolate to get warm and insulate to stay warm!
Using the correct use of insolate/insulate, fill in the sentences:
- The . . . paper may turn red when exposed to the sun.
- We always . . . and draught proof our caravan before winter begins.
12. tortuous/torturous
- tortuous comes from the Latin tortu meaning full of twists and turns.
- torturous pertaining to the cause or experience of extreme pain.
Using the correct use of tortuous/torture, fill in the sentences:
- Peal found the route remote and . . . .
- We had a . . . five days of boot camp.
13. foreword/forward
- Foreword is an introduction to a book.
- Forward is onwards, ahead.
Using the correct use of foreword/forward, fill in the sentences:
- Dr Giddings gave a . . to my book.
- It’s will be raining next week, so the baseball game will be moved . . .
14. flaunt/flout
- Flaunt is to display ostentatiously; show off.
- Flout is to disregard a rule.
Using the correct use of flaunt/flout, fill in the sentences:
-
- The young man constantly . . . his riches.
- The advertising code is being openly . . ..
15. flounder/founder
- Flounder is to move clumsily; to have difficulty doing something.
- Founder is to fail; a person who establishes.
Using the correct use of flounder/founder, fill in the sentences:
- The soldiers . . . about in the mud.
- He is the . . . of a popular website.
So, how did you fair?
ANSWERS: #1. a) which b) witch #2. a) principles b) principal #3. a) stationary b) stationery #4. a) rain b) reign c) reins; #5 a) stair b) stare; #6 a) main b) mane; #7 a)stake b) steak #8 a) steal b) steel #9 a) imminent b) eminent c) immament #10 a) exorcise b) exercise #11 a) insolate(d) b) insulate #12 a) tortuous b) torturous #13 a) foreword b) forward #14 a) flaunted b) flouted #15 a) floundered b) founder
ALWAYS make it a habit to edit your work to avoid committing the HOMOPHONES mistakes.