Structure: Homonyms – Basic 6 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

What are Homonyms?

Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings and often different spellings.

Common Homonyms:

advice/advise:

• advice (noun) – guidance or suggestion
• advise (verb) – to give guidance

ail/ale:

• ail (verb) – to suffer poor health or problems
• ale (noun) – a type of beer or beverage

More Examples:

• bear (animal) / bare (naked, uncovered)
• hear (listen) / here (this place)
• knew (past tense of know) / new (not old)
• right (correct) / write (to put down words)
• peace (no war) / piece (a part of something)

Exercise C – Homonym Practice

Choose the correct word:

1. Please give me good (advice/advise) about my studies.
2. The doctor will (advice/advise) you to rest more.
3. What seems to (ail/ale) the sick child?
4. The man ordered a mug of (ail/ale) at the bar.
5. I can (hear/here) the birds singing.
6. Come (hear/here) and sit beside me.

Exercise D – Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct homonym:

1. The _______ (bear/bare) tree had no leaves in winter.
2. I _______ (knew/new) the answer to the question.
3. Please _______ (right/write) your name on the paper.
4. We want _______ (peace/piece) in our country.
5. Give me a _______ (peace/piece) of cake, please.

Exercise E – Match the Homonyms

Match each word with its homonym partner: