HETERONYMS BPL – ESL March 14, 2014

close I close my notebook. I put my notebook close to the computer. Pronounced with a “z” sound (verb) = to shut I put my notebook close to the computer. Pronounced with an “s” sound (adjective) = near

live I live in Boston. There is live music at the café. Pronounced with “i” as in “sit” (verb) = to reside There is live music at the café. Pronounced with “i” as in “I” (adjective) = happening at that moment, in that place

alternate I have an alternate plan if this one doesn’t work. Pronounced AL-ter-net (noun) = an alternative, the next option I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I alternated between staying here and going home. Pronounced AL-ter-nate (verb) = to switch back and forth between two things

content The security officer at the airport inspected the contents of his suitcase. Pronounced CON-tent (noun) = objects or information that are contained in something else She was content with the grade she got on the exam. Pronounced con-TENT (adjective) = satisfied, happy

desert It is hard to find water in the desert. Pronounced DE-sert (noun) = a very dry area of land It’s sad when a father deserts his family. Pronounced de-SERT (verb) = to abandon, to leave without coming back

dove I saw two doves sitting outside my window this morning. Pronounced duv (noun) = a type of bird He dove into the swimming pool. Pronounced dove (verb) = past tense of “dive”

lead The captain will lead the football team to victory. Pronounced leed (verb) = to show the way, to direct, to be the leader The nails for the roof are made of lead. Pronounced led (noun) = a type of metal

minute Can you call be back in five minutes? Pronounced MIN-it (noun) = a period of time, 60 seconds The ice skating performances at the Olympics were almost identical, but, there were some minute differences. Pronounced my-NUTE (adjective) = extremely small

tear She was so sad about the death of her friend, I even saw a tear on her cheek. Pronounced TEER (noun) = drops of liquid that come out of your eyes when you cry When he gets frustrated and nervous, he tears paper into a million pieces. Pronounced TARE (verb) = to rip, to pull into pieces by force

wind On a summer day it’s nice to feel the wind on your face. Pronounced WIND – “i” as in “sit” (noun) = moving air Even though it was just a sprain, the nurse wanted to wind a bandage around his ankle. Pronounced WAIND – “i” as in “I” (verb) = to wrap something around something else