Tear and desert
‘Tear’ and ‘desert’ are words that are pronounced differently to indicate their meaning. The noun tear, which is a drop of fluid from the eye, rhymes with the word dear.
‘She shed a tear when her cat died.’
But when we use ‘tear’ as a verb, meaning to rip, it's pronounced 'tear' and that rhymes with the word 'bear'.
‘Don't tear the book.’
The noun ‘desert’ means a barren dry, sandy and often lifeless place.
‘It rarely rains in the desert.’
But when the word ‘desert’ is used as a verb, meaning to run away, it's pronounced 'desert'.
‘Don't desert me, stay and help please.’
When it's spelt with two Ss ‘desert’ is used to describe the part of a meal that is often eaten after the main course. It usually consists of something sweet.
‘I don’t think I'll have any dessert thanks, I am already full.’
Flickr CC: Elisa Banfi
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Tear and desert
‘Tear’ and ‘desert’ are words that are pronounced differently to indicate their meaning. The noun tear, which is a drop of fluid from the eye, rhymes with the word dear.
‘She shed a tear when her cat died.’
But when we use ‘tear’ as a verb, meaning to rip, it's pronounced 'tear' and that rhymes with the word 'bear'.
‘Don't tear the book.’
The noun ‘desert’ means a barren dry, sandy and often lifeless place.
‘It rarely rains in the desert.’
But when the word ‘desert’ is used as a verb, meaning to run away, it's pronounced 'desert'.
‘Don't desert me, stay and help please.’
When it's spelt with two Ss ‘desert’ is used to describe the part of a meal that is often eaten after the main course. It usually consists of something sweet.
‘I don’t think I'll have any dessert thanks, I am already full.’
Flickr CC: Elisa Banfi
Loud / aloud / allowed
‘Loud’ is an adjective and means to make a lot of noise.
Turn the music down, it is so loud.
And it can also refer to bright clothes.
Wow, look at his shirt, it sure is loud.
‘Aloud’ is an adverb and means to speak out, so you can be heard.
The teacher told the students to read aloud.
And ‘allowed’ is a verb meaning to have permission.
We are not allowed to ride our bikes in there, look at the sign on the gate.
Flickr CC: Sam Leighton
Learn English
Tear and desert
‘Tear’ and ‘desert’ are words that are pronounced differently to indicate their meaning. The noun tear, which is a drop of fluid from the eye, rhymes with the word dear.
‘She shed a tear when her cat died.’
But when we use ‘tear’ as a verb, meaning to rip, it's pronounced 'tear' and that rhymes with the word 'bear'.
‘Don't tear the book.’
The noun ‘desert’ means a barren dry, sandy and often lifeless place.
‘It rarely rains in the desert.’
But when the word ‘desert’ is used as a verb, meaning to run away, it's pronounced 'desert'.
‘Don't desert me, stay and help please.’
When it's spelt with two Ss ‘desert’ is used to describe the part of a meal that is often eaten after the main course. It usually consists of something sweet.
‘I don’t think I'll have any dessert thanks, I am already full.’
Flickr CC: Elisa Banfi
