There are lots of words in the English language which sound the same but are spelled differently and have entirely another meaning. They are called homonyms. Here are a few to know.
Examples of Homonyms
ad - advertisement
add - combine
advice - guidance
advise - recommend
altar – table in church
alter – to change
cell – compartment
sell – vend
cereal – breakfast food
serial – sequential
close – opposite of open
clothes – clothing
complement – enhance; go together
compliment – praise
dear – term of endearment
deer– woodland animal
desert – dry land
dessert – after-dinner sweet course
doe – female deer
dough – uncooked bread
fair – equal
fare – price
fairy – fictitious tiny winged ‘human’ – Tinkerbell
ferry – boat / ship for cars, cargo or passengers
find - to discover
fined – charged a penalty
flew – did fly
flu – cold-like illness
flour – powdery, ground grain
flower – blooming plant
foreword - introduction to a book
forward – advancing
gene – a chromosome
jean – denim
gorilla – big ape
guerrilla - warrior
hay – straw animal food
hey – greeting
heal – mend
heel – back of foot
hear – to listen
here – at this place
hole – opening
whole – entire
hour – 60 minutes
our – belonging to us
knight – feudal horseman
night – evening
knot – tied rope
not – negative
know – have knowledge
no – opposite of yes
none – not any
nun – woman who takes special vows
one – single
won – did win
peace – calm
piece – segment
patience – being willing to wait
patients – person treated in a hospital or by a doctor
pear – a type of fruit
pair – 2 (usually matching)
plain – ordinary
plane – flight machine plane; flat surface
poor – not rich
pour – make flow
right – correct; not left
write – scribble
rose – flower
rows – lines
sail – move by wind power
sale – bargain price
scene – landscape
seen – viewed
sea – ocean segment
see – observe with eyes
son – male child
sun – the star that lights the solar system
stair – step
stare – to look at steadily
suite – room in a hotel with lounge area etc
sweet – the opposite of sour
wait – kill time
weight – measure
way – path
weigh – measure mass
weak - not strong
week – 7 days
which – that
witch – sorcerer
There are many, many more. In speech it is almost impossible to tell the difference but look at the spelling when written. The rest of the sentence should help you understand which is correct.
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