NUGAAL UNIVERSITY ✨
English Course II
Study Guide: Notes on English.
Instructor: Abdalle Abdi Boss
English with Clarity & Precision
“The more you read, the more you know, the more you write, the
more you grow.”
CHAPTER 1:HOMOPHONES
Objectives:
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define homophones and explain their significance in the English language.
Identify common homophones and differentiate their meanings.
Use homophones correctly in sentences to enhance language accuracy.
Recognize the impact of homophones in spoken and written communication.
Distinguish homophones from homonyms and homographs based on pronunciation and
spellings.
2. HOMONYMS
Define homonyms and explain their role in language.
Distinguish between different types of homonyms (homophones and
homographs).
Provide examples of homonyms and use them correctly in context.
Analyze the potential confusion caused by homonyms and strategies to avoid
misinterpretation.
Compare homonyms with homophones and homographs by identifying their
similarities and differences.
3. HOMOGRAPHS
Define homographs and explain their unique characteristics.
Identify homographs with different pronunciations and meanings.
Use homographs accurately in sentences based on context.
Understand the role of stress and pronunciation in distinguishing homographs.
Explain how homographs differ from homophones and homonyms in terms of
spelling and pronunciation.
Dissimilarities Between Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs
HOMOPHONES 1
Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different spellings and
meanings.
Characteristics of homophones
1. Same pronunciation – they sound identical when spoken
2. Different spelling – they distinct spellings
[Link] meanings – they refer to completely different things
4. Context determines meaning – usage in a sentence defines the intended meaning.
EXAMPLES
1. Principal – headteacher
Principle – rule
The school principal gave a speech at the assembly.
Honesty is an important principle in life.
2. Write – record
Right – correct
Please write your name on the paper.
You got the answer right
CONT………………………….
3. Brake – stopping device
Break – to shatter or pause
He pressed the brake to stop the car.
The glass shattered when it fell.
4. Buy – purchase
By – near or beside
I need to buy a new phone.
He sat by the window.
CONT……………………………
5. Flour – powder from wheat
Flower – a blooming plant
She used flour to bake a cake.
The flower in the garden is beautiful
6. Knight – medieval soldier.
Night – time of darkness
It was a cold night outside
CONT……………………………
7. Mail – letters or packages
Male – a man or boy
She received a letter in the mail.
The male lion is larger than the female.
8. Pair – a set of two
Pear – a type of fruit
He bought a pair of shoes.
She ate a ripe pear for lunch.
CONT…………………………….
9. Plain – simple, without decoration
Plane – an aircraft
She wore a plain white dress.
The plane landed safely at the airport.
10. Sight – ability to see
Site – a location
His sight is very sharp.
The construction site is large.
CONT…………………………
11. Stationary – not moving
Stationery – writing materials
The car remained stationary due to traffic.
She bought new stationery for school
12. Weather – condition of the atmosphere
Whether – expressing choice
The weather is very cold today.
I don’t know whether to go or stay.
CONT………………………
13. Weak – lacking strength
Week – a period of 7 days
He was too weak to lift the box.
I have exams next week.
14. Capital – main city
Capitol – government building
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya.
The law was passed in the Capitol.
CONT…………………….
15. Course – a study subject
Coarse – rough texture
16. Steal – to take without permission
Steel – a strong metal .
It is wrong to steal from others.
The bridge is made of steel
CONT…………………………….
17. Son – male child
Sun – the star in the sky
Their son is in high school.
The sun is very bright today.
18. Some – an unspecified amount
Sum – total amount
CONT…………………………
19. Affect – to influence
Effect – result
The weather can affect my mood.
The new law had a positive effect.
20. Aloud – out loud
Allowed – permitted
She read the story aloud.
Pets are not allowed inside.
CONT……………………….
20. Bear – an animal / to tolerate
Bare – uncovered
His feet were bare.
21. Die – to stop living
Dye – to color something
Plants die without water.
She will dye her hair with a red colour.
CONT…………………………
22. Hour – 60 minutes
Our – belonging to us
23. Be –to exist
Bee– an insect that makes honey.
24. Meat – flesh of an animal
Meet – to encounter
CONT………………………….
25 Desert - dry land
Dessert – sweet food
26. Fair – just
Fare – transportation cost
27. Flour – powder for baking
Flower – a blooming plant
28. Complement – a nice remark
Complement – something that completes
HOMONYMS
Homonyms are words that have the same spelling, same pronunciation but have
different meanings. They can be further categorized into:
Characteristics of Homonyms
1. Same Spelling & Pronunciation – They both look the same, sound the same.
2. Different Meanings – The meanings are completely different depending on usage.
3. Context-Dependent – The meaning is determined by the context in which, it is used.
4. Can Belong to Different Parts of Speech – Some homonyms function as nouns,
verbs, or adjectives depending on the context.
EXAMPLES:
1. Address – A place/location
Address – To speak to someone
2. Write your home address here.
3. The teacher will address the students.
2. Bank – A financial institution
Bank – The side of a river
4. I deposited money at the bank.
5. He sat on the river bank.
CONT…………………………….
3. Bat – A flying mammal
Bat – A wooden stick for hitting a ball
1.A bat was hanging in the cave.
[Link] swung the bat hard.
4. Bark – The outer covering of a tree
Bark – The sound a dog makes
[Link] bark of the tree is rough.
[Link] dog started to bark loudly.
CONT………………………
5. Bow – To bend forward
Bow – A weapon used with arrows
1. He gave a respectful bow.
[Link] archer used a bow and arrow.
6. Can – A container
Can – To be able to
1.I bought a can of soda.
2. She can play the piano.
CONT………………………
7. Capital – A city
Capital – A large letter
[Link] is the capital of France.
2. Always start a sentence with a capital letter
8. Current – Happening now
Current – Flow of water or electricity
[Link] is the current news.
[Link] river's current was strong.
CONT………………………….
9. Date – A fruit
Date – A romantic meeting or day of the month
1. I ate a sweet date.
2. Our anniversary date is next week.
10. Match – A competition
Match – A small stick to create fire
[Link] football match was exciting.
2. Use a match to start the fire.
CONT…………………….
11. Nail – A small metal spike
Nail – Part of a finger or toe
[Link] hammered a nail into the wall.
2. She painted her nail pink.
12. Palm – A type of tree
Palm – The inside part of the hand
[Link] palm trees grow in warm climates.
2. He wrote the note on his palm.
CONT…………………………
13. Pen – A writing instrument
Pen – An enclosed area for animals
1. I need a new pen to write.
2. The goats are kept in the pen
14. Well – In a good way
Well – A source of water
15. Wave – To move the hand back and forth
Wave – A moving swell in water
16. Rock – A stone
Rock – A type of music
CONT……………………………
17. Key – A tool to unlock doors
Key – Something important
18. Fair – Just
Fair – Beautiful
19. Mug – A cup
Mug – To rob someone
20. Park – A recreational area
Park – To leave a vehicle
21. State – A condition
State – A political division
HOMOGRAPHS
Thes are words with same spelling but different pronunciations and meanings:
1. Lead (lɛd) – A heavy metal.
Example: The pipes were made of lead.
2. Lead (liːd) – To guide or direct
Example: She will lead the team to victory.
3. Tear (tɪər) – A drop of liquid from the eye.
Example: A tear ran down her face.
4. Tear (tɛər) – To rip something.
Example: Please tear the paper into two
CONT………………………….
5. Wind (wɪnd) – Moving air.
Example: The wind is strong today.
6. Wind (waɪnd) – To twist or turn something.
Example: Please wind the clock before you leave.
7. Row (roʊ) – A line of things or people
Example: They sat in the front row at the concert
8. Row (raʊ) – To paddle a boat.
Example: They will row across the lake.
CONT………………………..
9. Contract (ˈkɒntrækt) – A legal agreement.
Example: The company signed a new contract.
10. Contract (kənˈtrækt) – To shrink or become smaller.
Example: The metal will contract as it cools.
11. Refuse (rɪˈfjuːz) – To reject something.
Example: He will refuse the offer.
12. Refuse (ˈrɛfjuːs) – Garbage or waste.
Example: The bin is full of refuse.