Some words are written the same but said in two different ways. The meaning, and sometimes the grammar, tells you which one to use. These words are called heteronyms. Do not confuse them with homophones: those are spelled differently but sound the same (write and right, flour and flower).
Common pairs
| Word | Sound 1 | Sound 2 |
|---|---|---|
| read | /riːd/ — now, every day | /red/ — past (yesterday) |
| lead | /liːd/ — to guide | /led/ — the metal |
| tear | /tɪər/ — water from the eye | /teər/ — to rip |
| wind | /wɪnd/ — moving air | /waɪnd/ — to turn or twist |
| live | /lɪv/ — to have a home | /laɪv/ — not recorded |
| close | /kləʊz/ — to shut (US /kloʊz/) | /kləʊs/ — near (US /kloʊs/) |
Choose by meaning
Which sound fits the sentence?
Read the sentence, think about the meaning, and pick the sound of the bold word.
1.I read the news every morning.
2.Yesterday I read a great book.
3.The old pipes were made of lead.
4.A tear rolled down her cheek.
5.Please close the window.
6.The concert is live on TV tonight.