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Commonly Misused Homonyms

19 一月, 2015 - 17:10

Principle, Principal

  • Principle (noun). A fundamental concept that is accepted as true.
    • The principle of human equality is an important foundation for all nations.
  • Principal (noun). The original amount of debt on which interest is calculated.
    • The payment plan allows me to pay back only the principal amount, not any compounded interest.
  • Principal (noun). A person who is the main authority of a school.
    • The principal held a conference for both parents and teachers.

Where, Wear, Ware

  • Where (adverb). The place in which something happens.
    • Where is the restaurant?
  • Wear (verb). To carry or have on the body.
    • I will wear my hiking shoes when go on a climb tomorrow morning.
  • Ware (noun). Articles of merchandise or manufacture (usually, wares).
    • When I return from shopping, I will show you my wares.

Lead, Led

  • Lead (noun). A type of metal used in pipes and batteries.
    • The lead pipes in my homes are old and need to be replaced.
  • Led (verb). The past tense of the verb lead.
    • After the garden, she led the patrons through the museum.

Which, Witch

  • Which (pronoun). Replaces one out of a group.
  • Which apartment is yours?
  • Witch (noun). A person who practices sorcery or who has supernatural powers.
  • She thinks she is a witch, but she does not seem to have any powers.

Peace, Piece

  • Peace (noun). A state of tranquility or quiet.
    • For once, there was peace between the argumentative brothers.
  • Piece (noun). A part of a whole.
    • I would like a large piece of cake, thank you.

Passed, Past

  • Passed (verb).To go away or move.
    • He passed the slower cars on the road using the left lane.
  • Past (noun).Having existed or taken place in a period before the present.
    • The argument happened in the past, so there is no use in dwelling on it.

Lessen, Lesson

  • Lessen (verb). To reduce in number, size, or degree.
    • My dentist gave me medicine to lessen the pain of my aching tooth.
  • Lesson (noun). A reading or exercise to be studied by a student.
    • Today’s lesson was about mortgage interest rates.

Patience, Patients

  • Patience (noun). The capacity of being patient (waiting for a period of time or enduring pains and trials calmly).
    • The novice teacher’s patience with the unruly class was astounding.
  • Patients (plural noun). Individuals under medical care.
    • The patients were tired of eating the hospital food, and th ey could not wait for a home-cooked meal.

Sees, Seas, Seize

  • Sees (verb). To perceive with the eye.
    • He sees a whale through his binoculars.
  • Seas (plural noun). The plural of sea, a great body of salt water.
    • The tidal fluctuation of the oceans and seas are influenced by the moon.
  • Seize (verb). To possess or take by force.
    • The king plans to seize all the peasants’ land.

Threw, Through

  • Threw (verb). The past tense of throw.
    • She threw the football with perfect form.
  • Through (preposition). A word that indicates movement.
    • She walked through the door and out of his life.