The English language is a minefield where spelling and pronunciation are concerned. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most difficult languages to learn. We have words that are spelt the same or pronounced the same but have different meanings (homonym) and words that are spelt differently but pronounced the same and have different meanings…… Continue reading Homophone to Homonym : Dessert, Desert, Desert
Category: Grammar
Homophones: Sound-Alike Words – Whose and Who’s
Who’s versus Whose? Homophones are sound-alike words. They are spelt differently but sound the same. Each word has a distinct meaning. If in doubt consult your dictionary or style book. A good proofreader will pick up mistakes such as these but it’s best to get it right in the first place. So, when do you use who’s and when…… Continue reading Homophones: Sound-Alike Words – Whose and Who’s
Toponyms
Well, I learnt a new word today: ‘toponym’. Definitions The dictionary defines it thus: noun: a place name, especially one derived from a topographical feature. Its origins are from the Greek topos ‘place’ + -onym ‘name’. Wikipedia defines toponymy as the study of place names (toponyms), their origins, meanings, use, and typology. The word can refer to a non-specific feature, such as lover’s leap (or lovers’ leap or…… Continue reading Toponyms
Too far to Tooting?
How do you remember whether to use ‘to’ or ‘too’ in a sentence? They both sound alike, but I’m not sure they qualify as being a homonym as they are pronounced slightly differently; too having a slightly longer stress on the oo than to (depending on where in the country you come from). Getting them…… Continue reading Too far to Tooting?
Oronyms: Egg Samples to Help you Real Eyes the Meaning of the Word
Here’s a fun one. While researching the meanings of homophones, homonyms, homographs and such, I came across the word oronym. Until I discovered it I had no idea there was such a name for a concept I was more than familiar with. Given the way the English language is structured and spoken, it should have…… Continue reading Oronyms: Egg Samples to Help you Real Eyes the Meaning of the Word
Homophones: Sound-Alike Words
Homophones are words that sound alike but don’t necessarily have similar meanings; they could have totally different definitions. However, there are some that not only sound alike but also have similar meanings. That’s what I want to tackle here. Sound-alike words with similar meanings Do you ever wonder whether to use one word over another…… Continue reading Homophones: Sound-Alike Words
They’re There Their
This is one you often see written incorrectly (usually it’s there and their that are confused). All three words sound just the same – a homophone. However, each one has a very distinct meaning. When in doubt consult your dictionary or style book. A good proofreader will pick up mistakes such as these but it’s…… Continue reading They’re There Their