Heteronyms: Just when you thought English was easy!

The English language is full of curiosities that make it one of the most difficult languages to learn.

When a word is spelled one way but can be pronounced in different ways to take on different meanings, the different uses of the word are called heteronyms.

Check out these confusing examples!

The bandage was wound around the wound.

(Click for audio example) wound - to be turned repeatedly around an object

(Click for audio example) wound - an injury to the body

The farm's purpose was to produce produce.

produce - to bear, make or yield something

produce - agricultural products

The dove dove into the bushes.

dove - a type of bird, especially a wild pigeon dove - to plunge into intentionally, usually headfirst

I did not object to the object shown to me.

object - to state a negative opinion, to oppose

object - something material, e.g., an item

They were too close to the door to close it.

close - to be near in time or space

close - to move so as to bar passage

Can you think of more examples of heteronyms? Share them with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, or email us: annabel@ardorlearning.com