Mystery behind Homonyms
There are three different routes to reach their place. There Vs Their. Yes, they are the HOMONYMS.
Homonyms are the words that have the same sound when they are pronounced, but have totally different meanings and also spelt differently.
There are three different kinds of homonyms, and sometimes even the experts find themselves caught in the dilemma attached to the homonyms and their usage. Some of the homonyms have the exact same pronunciation, but their spelling is different, for example; accept (to take) and except (to exclude). The second category of homonyms belongs to those words that have the same pronunciation and same spelling, but have different meanings altogether, for example; wind (to end) and wind (breeze). The last category comprises of those words that have different pronunciation, but their spellings are somewhat alike, for example; cymbal (a musical instrument) and symbol (a sign or a mark).
In this article a list of 10 homonyms along with their meaning and usage has been provided, so the readers can have a better knowledge of the concept, and to teach you the correct usage of words in a sentence. It is advised that you should not mug up all of them in one go, as they may confuse you. Try to use these words in your sentences and with time, these words and their usage will become a permanent part of your list.
- AFFECT Vs EFFECT
Affect- To influence
The weather conditions will affect the cricket match.
Effect- An outcome or a result
A good sleep have a positive effect on the mind and the body.
General rule- Affect is usually used a verb, while effect is used as a noun.
Exceptions- Affect can also be used as a noun, when it is used to describe the mood of a person. For example; ‘she showed a content affect.’
Effect can be used a verb and as a verb, it means ‘to achieve.’ For example; ‘The mayor wished to effect change in the city.’
- AMORAL Vs IMMORAL
Amoral- Unconcerned with morality
Without society, humans are amoral beings.
Immoral- Unethical
Cheating is an immoral activity.
Both the words are concerned with right or wrong, but amoral doesn’t always use to show disapproval unlike immoral.
- ALLUSION Vs ILLUSION
Allusion- citation/ or an indirect reference
The author made several allusions to Shakespeare.
Illusion- a deception/ or a misconception
Mirror walls give the illusion of extra space.
The teacher made an allusion to Shakespeare’s work to remove the illusion from the mind of the students.
- BERTH Vs BIRTH
Berth- A built in bed in a ship or a train
I booked a lower berth for uncle while booking the tickets.
Birth- The beginning of something
Leisha gave birth to a baby boy last week.
Berth is usually used to refer to a place of sleep, while birth signifies the origin of something new.
- CONSCIENCE Vs CONSCIOUS
Conscience- An awareness of morality
My conscience didn’t allow me to cheat in the exam.
Conscious- Awake
I was not conscious during the operation.
Just like science that deals with right or wrong, conscience also tells us what is right or wrong. On the other hand, you are conscious when you are aware of what is happening around you.
- DISCREET Vs DISCRETE
Discreet- careful to avoid social embarrassment.
The professor was discreet in discussing the students’ performance.
Discrete- Separate/ distinct
I walked a discrete distance from them as we entered the auditorium.
Key- T’ separates ‘E’s in Discrete, while in Discreet they are together.
- FORGO Vs FOREGO
Forgo- to give up/ surrender
I will forgo smoking or the health of my kids.
Forego- to precede (sometimes also used in place of ‘Forgo’)
The movie can forego the lunch.
Key- Forgo comes from ‘forgot’, hence, it can be used in the same sense, i.e. you forgot something and now you have to give it up. Forego comes from ‘before’, therefor it is used in the same sense, i.e. be earlier in time.
- LOATHE Vs LOATH
Loathe- to feel strong hatred
I loathe cunning people.
Loath- unwilling/ disinclined
He is loath to submit the report in such a short time.
General Rule- Loathe is used a verb, while loath is used as an adjective.
- LOOSE Vs LOSE
Loose- not bound tightly
Watch your steps while walking on this loose gravel.
Lose- to be unsuccessful/ to suffer loss
If you lose this pen, don’t ask me for a new one.
General Rule- ‘Loose’ is a part of speech, while ‘Lose’ is mainly used as a verb, however, sometimes lose can also be used as an adjective or a noun.
- MENDACIOUS Vs MENDICANT
Mendacious- Untruthful
The report provided by the Sales department was mendacious.
Mendicant- practicing begging, a person who begs for a living
She had no fear that she would ever become a mendicant.
Don’t be mendacious to the people who are close to you, otherwise later you have to be mendicant to gain their trust again.
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