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Homophones, Homonyms, & Homographs: What's the Difference?

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Homophones, Homonyms, & Homographs What\'s the Difference

Do you ever get confused between words that sound the same but have different meanings, like “there” & “their”? Or have you noticed how the word “read” can sound different depending on the sentence? 

Well, you're not the only one! Homophones, homonyms, & homographs can trip even the experienced writers. 

But don't worry! 

Once you understand the differences, you can easily use them in your writing. This guide will help you clear up the confusion so you can write confidently.

What Are Homophones?

Based on information from Wikipedia, “a homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning or in spelling.” Than/then and you’re/your are examples of homophones. 

Homophones That Often Cause Confusion

Here are some examples of words that sound alike but have different meanings:

Hear/Here

  • “I can hear his voice.” (to be able to perceive sound)
  • “Come here!” (in this place)

Know/No

  • “I know the answer.” (have knowledge of)
  • “I have no idea.” (not any)

By/Buy/Bye

  • “Katherine stood by the window.” (near or next to)
  • “I will buy some groceries.” (to purchase)
  • “Say bye to your friend.” (goodbye)

Their/There/They're

  • “Their dog is very friendly.” (belonging to them)
  • “The book is on the table there.” (in that place)
  • “They're going to the park.” (they are)

Week/Weak

  • I’m going on vacation next week. (refers to seven days)
  • Alex felt weak today. (lacking strength)

What Are Homonyms?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a homonym as “a word that sounds the same or is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning.” 

Bat (flying mammal) and bat (sports equipment) are good examples of homonyms.

Homonyms That Often Cause Confusion

Below are some of the common homophones that often give headaches to students:

Palm

  • “The beach was lined with tall palm trees.” (a type of tree) 
  • “Joseph held the coin in his palm.” (of the hand)

Wind

  • “The wind was blowing hard yesterday.” (blowing air)
  • “I had to wind the clock to make it work.” (To turn the clock’s key to make it function)

Ring

  • “She wore a beautiful gold ring in the function.” (a circular piece of jewelry)
  • “The children played in a ring around the tree.” (a circle)
  • “I heard the ring of the phone. (a sound produced by a bell)

 Nail

  • “I hammered the nail into the wall.” (A small metal object)
  • “She painted her nails.” (A hard part at the tip of fingers)

Rose

  • “She received a beautiful rose for her birthday.” (a type of flower)
  • “The sun rose over the horizon at dawn.” (to move in an upward direction)

What Are Homographs?

According to Merriam Webster, homographs are “two or more words spelled alike but different in meaning or derivation or pronunciation.

Sometimes, these words look the same but sound different.

For example:

  • Lead: The metal (pronounced "led") 
  • Lead: To go first or guide (pronounced "leed")

Homographs That Often Cause Confusion

Here are a few examples of homographs along with explanations of their different meanings:

Tear

  • “Don’t tear the paper.” (to rip)
  • “She shed a tear during the sad movie.” (a drop of liquid from the eye)

Bow

  • “He gave a bow before leaving the stage.” (to bend forward as a gesture of respect)
  • “He shot an arrow from his bow.” (a weapon)

Bass

  • “He caught a large bass in the lake.” (a type of fish)
  • “This song has a loud bass.” (low-frequency sound in the music)

Read

  • “I like to read books before bed.” (present tense)
  • “I read that book last year.” (past tense)

Row

  • “She sat in the front row during the concert.” (a line of seats or objects)
  • “They rowed across the lake.” (to paddle a boat)

Key Differences Between Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs

Features 

Homophones 

Homonyms 

Homographs 

Definition 

Words with the same sound

Words with the same sound/spelling

Words with the same spelling

Pronunciation

Same 

Same 

May differ

Spelling

Different

Same or different

Same

Meaning

Different 

Different 

Different 

Examples

Pair, Pear

Bat (animal), Bat (sport)

Lead (metal), Lead (to guide)

Homophones, homonyms, and homographs can be confusing, so it's important to double-check how to spell them correctly!

Remember:

Pay close attention to how each word is used in a sentence.

If you're unsure which word to use, look it up in a dictionary!

To Briefly Recap

We hope you understand the difference between homophones, homonyms, and homographs. Just remember: homophones sound the same, homonyms share the same spelling or sound, and homographs look the same but can sound different. With practice, you’ll master them in no time. Use this guide as a reference and write with confidence!

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