Insight: Homonyms - Detect Word Meaning Through Listening

Ring - Wring

Homonyms are groups of two or three words that have the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings. There are many homonyms in English and you can only understand the meaning of the word by listening to the context of the sentence.

Our homonyms for this week are:

a. ring: (noun) a circular band worn on the finger, (verb) to make a sound or tone
b. wring: to twist or squeeze something to make it dry

Listening Activity 

Listen as I say each sentence and choose the correct word from the pair of homonyms above. Remember that homonyms sound the same so you can only understand the meaning of the word from the context of the sentence.

Click Play to listen now:

Sentences:

1. My alarm clock will ring at 6:30 am.
2. Please wring out the towel in the sink.
3. Laurie has a beautiful gold wedding ring.

(Answers: a, b, a)

Featured Learning Resource: Emily's Class

This is an easy to use resource developed by Chi-Fen Emily Chen, Ph.D. at the National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology in Taiwan.     The Consonants section has a well organized table of English consonants with sample words and sound files. There is also a consonant listening quiz.     Click on the image to go to the site now.