There are many different words in the English language that create confusion due to their similar spellings and definition, but one of the most frustrating are heteronyms. Heteronyms are words that look exactly the same but are pronounced and defined differently. It can be difficult to learn how to spell …
Did you know that depending on how you use the word wind, the meaning and pronunciation can be completely different? In fact, “wind” is the perfect example of a heteronym — a word with multiple meanings and pronounced differently depending on the context. But how can you tell the difference …
Homonyms are precisely defined as words that both sound the same and are spelled the same, yet have different meanings. However, there’s an ongoing debate fueled by a common misunderstanding: that a homonym is a word that either sounds the same or is spelled the same—or both. This misconception is …
Graduate and graduate are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words graduate and graduate, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Graduate (GRAD yew ut) is a person who …
Contentious and conscientious are two words that are close in spelling and pronunciation and may be considered confusables. Confusables is a catch-all term for words that are often confused in usage. Two words or more than two words may be confused because they are similar in spelling, similar in pronunciation, or similar …
Estimate and estimate are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words estimate and estimate, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Estimate (ESS tuh mate) means to make a …
Construct and construct are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words construct and construct, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Construct (kun STRUKT) is means to build something, to …
Compress and compress are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words compress and compress, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Compress (come PRESS) is a verb that means to …
Crooked and crooked are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words crooked and crooked, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Crooked (KROOKT) is the past tense of the verb, …
Represent and represent are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words represent and represent, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Represent (reh preh ZENT) means to serve as a …