Usage Practice: Completing Sentences with the Correct Form of a Homograph

The word 'tear' referring to a drop of liquid from the eye is pronounced with a long 'e' sound, rhyming with 'here' or 'fear'. The pronunciation rhyming with 'stare' is used for the verb 'to rip' or the resulting rip (a physical tear).

When 'present' is used as a verb, meaning to offer or show, the stress is placed on the second syllable (pre-SENT). The pronunciation PRES-ent (stress on the first syllable) is used for the noun (a gift) or the adjective (current time/nearby).

The noun 'lead' (the heavy metal) is pronounced with a short 'e' sound (lĕd). This pronunciation is exactly the same as the past tense verb 'led'. The present tense verb 'to lead' is pronounced with a long 'e' sound (lēd).

The sentence is in the past tense because it says yesterday. In the past tense, read is pronounced “red,” which sounds exactly like the color red. Even though the spelling stays the same, the pronunciation changes based on tense.

When object is used as a verb, it is pronounced ob-JECT, with stress on the second syllable. Stress changes help us tell whether a homograph is being used as a noun or a verb.

The word separate is a verb when it means to divide or split something. In this form, it describes an action being performed, which makes it a verb rather than a noun or adjective.

When produce is a noun meaning fruits and vegetables, the stress is on the first syllable: PRO-duce. When it is used as a verb (to make or create), the stress shifts to the second syllable.

When 'conduct' is used as a verb, meaning to organize or carry out, the stress is placed on the second syllable (con-DUCT). The pronunciation CON-duct (stress on the first syllable) is used for the noun, meaning behavior or management.

When 'record' is used as a noun, referring to a documentation or a best achievement (as here), the stress is placed on the first syllable (REC-ord). The pronunciation re-CORD (stress on the second syllable) is used for the verb, meaning to save data or document.

The word sow (meaning a female pig) is a single-syllable noun, so it does not have a stress shift. However, its pronunciation changes depending on meaning. As a noun meaning a female pig, it is pronounced /sau/ (rhymes with cow). As a verb meaning “to plant seeds,” it is pronounced /sō/ (rhymes with snow).

The verb 'to desert' (meaning to abandon or forsake) is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (de-SĔRT). The noun 'desert' (meaning dry, arid land) is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable (DĔS-ert).

When 'content' is used as an adjective meaning 'satisfied,' the stress shifts to the second syllable (con-TENT). When it is a noun meaning 'subject matter' or 'capacity,' the stress is on the first syllable (KŎN-tent).

Bow' pronounced like 'boh' (rhymes with snow) is used for a knot (C) or a weapon (D). The pronunciations 'bau' (rhymes with cow) are used for the front of a boat (A) or the verb meaning to bend at the waist (B).

When 'close' is an adjective meaning 'near' or 'intimate,' it is pronounced with a voiceless 's' sound (clōs). When 'close' is the verb meaning 'to shut' or 'finish' (options A and D), it is pronounced with a voiced 'z' sound (clōz).

When 'invalid' is an adjective meaning 'not correct' (A and B), the stress is placed on the first syllable (IN-valid). When it is a noun referring to a sick person (C), the stress is on the second syllable (in-VAL-id).

The verb 'to wind' (to crank or turn) is pronounced with a long 'i' sound (wīnd), rhyming with 'find'. The short 'i' sound (wĭnd) is reserved for the noun 'wind,' which is moving air. Therefore, the statement is false.

When 'compact' is a noun (like a small car) or an adjective (tightly packed), the stress is on the first syllable (KŎM-pact). When it is a verb meaning to press something tightly, the stress shifts to the second syllable (com-PĂCT). Therefore, the pronunciation is different.

When 'row' means a quarrel or noisy dispute, it is pronounced 'rau' (rhymes with cow). The pronunciation 'rō' (rhymes with snow) is used when 'row' means a line or to propel a boat with oars. Therefore, the statement is false.

The noun 'refuse' (meaning garbage or waste) follows the common noun/verb pattern, stressing the first syllable (RĔF-use). The stress on the second syllable (re-FUSE) is used for the verb, meaning to deny.

When minute means very small, it is pronounced “my-noot.” The first syllable sounds like “my.” This is different from minute meaning 60 seconds, which is pronounced “min-it.”