1. HETERONYMS
BPL – ESL
March 14, 2014

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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”

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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