DEFINITIONS OF:homograph
two words are homographs if they are spelled the same way but differ in meaning (e.g. fair)
DEFINITIONS OF:heteronym
two words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same way but differ in pronunciation
lead /lid/ (to go in front of)
lead /led/ (a metal)
wind /waɪnd/ (to follow a course that is not straight)
wind /wɪnd/ (a gust of air)
bass /beɪs/ (low, deep sound)
bass /bæs/ (a type of fish)
DEFINITIONS OF:homophone
two words are homophones if they are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning or spelling or both (e.g. bare and bear)
to – two – too /tu/
there – their – they’re /ðeər/
eight – ate /eɪt/
ant – aunt /ænt/
prey – pray /preɪ
DEFINITIONS OF:homonym
two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings
tire (fatigue) – tire (wheel) /tɑɪər/
well (good health) – well (water reservoir) /wel/
suit (clothes) – suit (fit) /sut/
So, how do we differentiate between two words in a sentence? Which word is being said? — Easy! Just pay attention to their context in a sentence. For example, when I say /ˈaɪ nu ɪts ɪz nu kɑr/ The first /nu/ in /ˈaɪ nu/ is knew (verb), and the second /nu/ in /ɪz nu/ is new (adjective).
“I knew it’s his new car.” /ˈaɪ nu ɪts ɪz nu kɑr/
Stress is very important when speaking. If you don’t pronounce the stress in a word, or you pronounce it incorrectly, people may have trouble understanding you. For example, if you pronounce “I want banana” in the same length: I-want-ba-na-na, you’d sound too robotic (unnatural).
When a syllable is stressed, it is pronounced in three ways:
– louder
– longer
– high in pitch
Rules in stressing
If you see a new word, can you tell where the stress is? Is there a rule? Yes, there are rules in stressing a syllable in a word. However, these rules don’t work all the time, at least they can help you.
1. Nouns or adjectives with two syllables usually have stress on the first syllable.
PER-son
BREAK-fast
2. Verbs with two syllables usually have stress on the second syllable.
for-GET
be-GIN
3. Words with three syllables have stress on the first syllable.
A-ny-one
IN-ter-view
4. Words with four syllables or more have stress in the middle.
in-for-MA-tion
u-ni-VER-si-ty
Ain’t
Ain’t is the short for ‘am not’, ‘are not’, ‘is not’, ‘have not’, and ‘has not’
Ain’t is a slang expression, used in spoken language, but not in written language (formal).
Examples:
• He ain’t very rich. = He isn’t very rich.
• She ain’t got a clue. = She hasn’t got a clue.
• He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother. (Famous song)
You can listen to the podcast from My Happy English.Michael explains everything about Ain’t ain’t a word in the podcast.
Ain’t ain’t a word because ain’t ain’t in a dictionary
Ain’t is acceptable in spoken or when you want to convey a vernacular tone. Omit ain’t in business, scholarly, or any other formal writings unless it is used in direct quotation, and never go around saying it in general conversation unless it is a part of joke or well-known saying. Everyone should use it occasionally as part of a joking phrase, but if you always use it instead of the most proper contractions, you are sure to be branded as uneducated. Treat it like spicy mustard: don’t make a whole sandwich from it.
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