Let’s Talk About Homographs

There is no denying that the English language can be a bit complicated. You may be interested in improving your English skills, but the only way to advance to proficiency level is to familiarize yourself with some of the more obscure rules that you’ll come across in every day conversation.

So what do you do when you encounter a homograph? A homograph is a word that has the exact same spelling as another word but sounds different and has a different meaning.

If you are presented a homograph in isolation, chances are it will be difficult for you to pick the right definition. This is why context is so important. Once you put the word into a sentence, you’ll be able to decipher the correct pronunciation because the appropriate meaning will be much clearer.

Take a look at a few homograph examples

In the first instance, the girl is pointing her bow at the target. In the second one, the girl is bowing as a sign of respect.

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Wind can either be a strong gust of air or the act of turning something such as the back of a clock.

You can tear a dress and then shed a tear because it was your favorite.

Are you putting together a project for your company, or are you planning on projecting a movie onto a big screen?

How familiar are you with homographs? Share your questions and study tips with us on our Facebook channel or in the comment section below.