Homonyms & Homophones
What are homonyms?
Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings (Example: bat - the animal and bat - baseball equipment).
What does “used to” mean, and what tense is it used in?
Used to expresses a past action or state that no longer happens (I used to play soccer).
What is an adjective intensifier?
A word or phrase that strengthens or weakens an adjective (Example: brand new).
What does “cold feet” mean?
Cold feet means feeling nervous or uncertain before doing something (He got cold feet before his wedding).
What is the structure of a modal verb of probability in the past?
The structure is modal verb + have + past participle (She must have left already).
What are homophones?
Words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings (Example: to, too, two).
What does “be used to” mean, and how is it used?
Be used to means being accustomed to something (I am used to waking up early).
What does boiling hot mean?
It means “very hot” (The soup is boiling hot).
What does “keep your head” mean?
Keep your head means to stay calm in a difficult situation.
What is the difference between must have and might have?
Must have indicates high certainty (He must have forgotten).
Might have indicates possibility (He might have forgotten).
What is the difference between there, their, and they’re?
There → A place (The book is over there).
Their → Possession (That is their dog).
They’re → Short for they are (They’re happy).
What is the difference between be used to and get used to?
Be used to means something is familiar, while get used to focuses on the process of becoming familiar.
What is the intensifier in This test is dead easy, and what does it mean?
“Dead” intensifies “easy,” meaning extremely easy.
What does “have a heart of gold” mean?
Have a heart of gold means being a kind and generous person.
What does He can’t have stolen the money mean?
It means it is impossible that he stole the money (It’s impossible that he did it).
What is the difference between bare and bear?
Bare → Without covering (My feet are bare).
Bear → An animal or to tolerate something (I saw a bear / I can’t bear this noise).
Complete the sentence: I ____ (live) in a big city, but now I love it.
I got used to living in a big city, but now I love it.
What is the difference between fast asleep and wide awake?
Fast asleep → Deeply asleep.
Wide awake → Fully awake.
Explain the meaning of “get something off your chest”.
Get something off your chest means to express a worry to feel relieved.
How would you express a strong assumption in the past using must?
He must have been very tired last night.
Give three examples of homophones and explain their meanings.
Write (to compose) and right (correct).
Flour (ingredient) and flower (plant).
Peace (calm) and piece (portion).
Rewrite this sentence using get used to: Waking up early was difficult, but now it’s fine.
I got used to waking up early.
Give two examples of intensifiers and use them in sentences.
This phone is brand new.
The knife is razor sharp.
Give an example of a metaphor using hand and explain it.
Lend a hand means to help someone (Can you lend me a hand with this project?).
Rewrite this sentence using a modal verb of probability: I’m sure she studied a lot for the exam.
She must have studied a lot for the exam.