English presents a number of issues to non-native (and sometimes native) speakers. It is grammatically unlike other languages, even those from which it has borrowed large vocabulary groups, and possesses a number of irregularities. Understanding

Heteronyms, or heterophones are spelled the same, but have different pronunciations and meanings. For example, desert (to abandon) and desert (a dry region) have the same spelling, but are pronounced differently, and have different meanings.

Dear all, All passages below are from “ Crazy English ” – by Richard Lederer, POCKET BOOKS . (I tried to find an Internet link, but failed. So please pardon me for the length of the text, which I believe would be very informative).

heteronym is the word used to describe words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. Usually the heteronyms are pronounced differently

Homonyms are the general term for words that are spelled or pronounced the same, but have different meanings. The specific words in this thread, such as wind (the air) and wind (verb: to wrap something) are under the sub-categorey or variant of

such words are in fact heteronyms.......

Playing around with heteronyms ... there was a tear in the chair a tear right there why a tear came to my eye! I started to cry so the tear was sewn and the chair went home

heteronyms What are heteronyms? Heteronyms are words that are spelled identically but have different meanings when pronounced differently. For example: Lead, pronounced LEED , means to guide. However, lead, pronounced LED , means a

You might also find this interesting: The Heteronym Homepage

Here's a poem I love, written by one of Pessoa's heteronyms, Alvaro de Campos. (translated by J.Griffin) I Have a Terrible Cold I have a terrible cold, And everyone knows how terrible colds Alter the whole system of the universe, Set us