Aye vs eye

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Grammarist

Aye and eye are two words that are pronounced in the same way but have different meanings and are spelled differently. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of the words aye and eye, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Aye is an expression of assent. Today, it is most often used as an affirmative vote or as a response when given an order on a ship, though it is still used in certain areas of Britain to simply mean yes. There are three theories as to the origin of the term aye. One theory states it is derived from the Middle English word yai which is a forerunner of the word yes. Another theory states that the word aye is derived from the Latin word āiō, which means “I say yes”. A third theory asserts that aye is simply a shortening of the phrase I agree or I assent.

An eye is an organ of sight. The word eye may also be used to mean the action of looking at something. Eye is used figuratively to mean an ability to make a judgement or the manner of that judgement, an electric beam, a bud on a potato, the hole at the top of a needle, the low pressure at the center of a storm or anything with the shape or coloring of an eyeball. The word eye is derived from the Old English words ege and eage.

Examples

So why can’t the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha emulate the Westminster model not just in terms of saying things like “The ayes have it” but also by way of humorous repartee in any of the languages spoken in Parliament. (The Economic Times)

Just because Takei had the ability to memorize such great lines “Aye aye, captain” does not mean he has any smarts. (The Canada Free Press)

Uchimura shrugs off injuries with eye on Tokyo 2020 (The Japan Times)

And it wasn’t the only revelation on the show, with Kris Smith revealing to ex-Miss Universe Tegan Martin that he has a girlfriend but he doesn’t want to reveal who she is because of fears over projecting her into the public eye. (The Sydney Morning Herald)