Speaking Your Best, Inc. Newsletter Be a Success by Speaking Your Best! July 2008  
 
Dear Reader, English is a very difficult language to learn. Many words sound similar, and it is easy to get them confused. In this month's issue, we will be looking at common homonyms that often get confused. We'll also test your knowledge of them!  
In This Issue  
Is It "Pain" or "Pane?"  
Is It "Whether" or "Weather?"  
Is It "Your" or "You're?"  
The Homonym Nightmare!  
Is It "Pain" or "Pane" 
  Here are two words that are homonyms: "pain" and "pane". One means the glass part of a window and the other means hurt. Which one is depicted in the picture to the left? Should I say:"The girl is in pain?" or"The girl is in pane?"  
Is It "Whether" or "Weather?" 
  Here are two more homonyms: "weather" and "whether." These are very often confused in writing. One is a noun meaning the condition of the atmosphere and the other is a conjunction that is often used to mean "if." Which one is depicted in the above picture?Should I say:"The weather looks very ominous." or"The whether looks very ominous."  
Is It "Your" or "You're" 
  The homonyms "your" and "you're" constantly get confused. One means "belonging to you" and the other is a contraction meaning "you are." Look at the picture to the left and decide which of the following senttences uses the correct homonym:"I think this is your nut." or"I think this is you're nut."  
 
Dear Readers, I hope you enjoyed this month's issue of the Speaking Your Best Newsletter. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future articles. We hope what we write has a positive "affect" on your English skills.....or is it "effect"?????????? Sincerely, 
Cheryl Posey
Speaking Your Best, Inc. 
 
 "The Homonym Nightmare! 
 
A homonyn in American English is described as a word that sounds the same as another word, but is spelled differently and has a different meaning. You can identify its meaning only from context (how it is used in a sentence). American English can be very confusing with homonyms! Even Americans get confused sometimes as to spellings and usage. So, you are not alone if you are having problems with these types of words. Let's take a look at some of the most frequently used homonyms and their meanings: to/too/two
"to" toward (preposition)I am going to the store. "too" also (adverb) I am going to the store, too "two" number (noun)I have two daughters. their/they're/there"their" belonging to them(possession)That is their dog. "they're" they are (contraction)They're at the store. "there" to that place (adverb indicating location)She wasn't there. accept/except "accept" to take (verb)Please accept my apology. "except" exluding, other than (preposition)Everyone except John is here. affect/effect "affect" influence, alter (verb)Your work on this project will affect your job. "effect" result, consequence, alteration (noun)I can see that this sad movie is having an effect on you.  
 
 

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