Homonyms

Free online contractions lessons and exercises on homonyms, homographs, and homophones. Included are explanations, examples, and practice identifying common usages. These exercises are colorful, organized, and contains easy-to-understand rules that students of all levels can grasp.

• Exercise 1 - Practice identifying and differentiating homonyms, homographs, and homophones

Explanation

Homonyms: Words that have the same spelling and same pronunciation, but different meanings.

          Directions: Choose (a) or (b)

Example:  I hope you are not lying _(a)_  to me.       (a) telling a lie

                    My books are lying _(b)_ on the table.     (b) being in a horizontal position

Homographs: Words that have the same spelling, but different pronunciations and meanings.

         Directions:  Choose (a) or (b)

Example:  The wind _(a)_ is blowing hard.               (a) moving air  (rhymes with pinned)

                    I have to wind _(b)_ my clock.                 (b) turn the stem (rhymes with find)

Homophones: Words that have the same pronunciation, but different spelling and different meanings.

        Directions: Choose the correct word

Example:  Please try not to (waste, waist) paper.