HOMONYMS
In linguistics, a homonym is, in the strict sense, one of a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings. Thus homonyms are simultaneously homographs (words that share the same spelling, irrespective of their pronunciation) and homophones (words that share the same pronunciation, irrespective of their spelling). The state of being a homonym is called homonymy.
Examples of homonyms are the pair stalk (part of a plant) and stalk (follow/harass a person) and the pair left (past tense of leave) and left (opposite of right). A distinction is sometimes made between "true" homonyms, which are unrelated in origin, such as skate (glide on ice) and skate (the fish), and polysemous homonyms, or polysemes, which have a shared origin, such as mouth (of a river) and mouth (of an animal).
In non-technical contexts, the term "homonym" may be used (somewhat confusingly) to refer to words that are either homographs or homophones. In this looser sense, the words row (propel with oars) and row (argument) are considered homonyms, as are the words read (peruse) and reed (waterside plant).
A lot of words in the English language sound the same but have different spellings and/or different meanings. The problem is that a lot of people never learn these different spellings and meanings and just go about their merry way using the wrong words. So what should you do? Learn it right!
There, Their, and They're
There
There is usually used to describe a physical place or location, or at least a noun. It can also be used in other ways, but I don't know how to best describe it. The following examples should help:
Over there is my brain! I left it on the side of the road.
There exists a time when every man must learn his homonyms.
Do you see now that there is a difference?
Their
Their is used to show possession. Just as 'his' shows possession of an object by 'him', and 'her' shows possession of 'her', their shows possession of an object by a group, they.
It's their crap, not yours.
Their idea to teach people homonyms was wonderful.
They're
They're is a contraction of the words "they" and "are", as indicated by its apostrophe. You use it to describe a group of objects or whatnot. If your sentence doesn't sound right by replacing they're with they are, then you're using the wrong form of there/their/they're.
They're stupid; they don't even know their homonyms.
It's good that they're reading this page though.
To, Two, Too
To
To is hard to explain. It's kinda like an implied verb prefix. Read the examples.
To be, or not to be, that is the question.
I have to go to the bathroom.
You want to go to the concert with me?
Two
Two is the spelling of the number 2. Use it when referring to 2 elements of something.
There were two ducks in the pond, not three.
What do you call a blonde with two brain cells? Pregnant!
Too
Too can mean either 1) also, or 2) an excess of.
I have to go to the bathroom too. (case 1)
You go to the bathroom too much. (case 2)
Hey, I want some beer too! (case 1)
You are too young to go in the bar! (case 2)
Are, Our
Are
Are is hard to explain also. Read the examples.
Are you going to the concert?
There are five ducks swimming around the pond.
I bet you are tired after that long drive!
Our
Our shows possession. Use it when you are referring to a group you are in that 'owns' something.
Hey, that is our money, don't touch!
Our pineapples are the best in town.
Would you like to tour our factory?
Your, You're
Your
Your shows possession.
Is this your money sitting here?
Can I have some of your Coke?
You're
You're is a contraction for "You Are". If you can't replace you're with you are and have your sentence work, then you've messed up.
After that run, I bet you're tired as hell.
Hey baby, you're pretty hot. (don't try this one in real life)
Its and It's
Its
Its is the possessive form of it.
The vase lost its shine over the years.
It's
This is the contraction of the words "It is".
It's going to be a nice day today.
Come inside... it's raining!
Sethulakshmi 10 A
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