READ: Commonly Confused Words

Commonly Confused Words    

There are many words in the English language that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. These are called HOMOPHONES. This week, you review a few of these homophones. Read the explanations and examples below. Once you feel you have them memorized, take the quiz!

1. capital: Either a city that serves as the center for government, wealth in the form of money or property, or a capital letter.

     Examples: We need access to capital in order to expand.

                       Always begin a sentence with a capital letter.

                       The capital of Oregon is Salem.

2. capitol: a U.S. senate legislature building, or the U.S. capitol building in Washington D.C. States also have their own capitol buildings. In this sense, the word capitol is referring to an actual building.

Example: The House will discuss a bill this week in the halls of the capitol.

3. cell: Either a cell within your body or a type of phone.

Examples: Turn your cell phone off before you enter the theater.

                  Smoking kills brain cells.

4. sell: A verb, meaning to exchange something for money.

Example: I am going to sell my car and buy a bike.

5. sale: a noun, meaning an event where things are sold.

Example: Macey's is having a sale on canned foods.

6. Choose: The present tense form of the verb, "to choose."

Example: Eventually I have to choose which colleges I want to apply for.

7. Chose: The past tense form of the verb, "to choose."

Example: Yesterday I chose to study instead of go out with friends.

8. Emigrate: To LEAVE a country

Example: Jade emigrated from Canada.

9. Immigrate: To ENTER a country

Example: Jade immigrated to the United States.

* You immigrate to, not from, and you emigrate from, not to.