Homonym, Homophone, or Homograph?

Today I noticed two examples of words that were misused. Since I'm interested in refreshing my own grammar and English usage skills, the words caught my eye. I looked them up and found interesting information about homonyms, and the fact that sometimes we are referring to homophones or homographs.

But I'll take the lead from others and continue to refer to them as homonyms for this post. You can read more about this nomenclature at Alan Cooper's Homonyms or the Homonym/Homophone Page at  taupecat consulting.

What, you ask, are the words that caused me to do a bit of research and write this post?

• know, no
• fair, fare

Glad to know I'm not the only one interested in homonyms. I see Josh Hallett at hyku found examples in the blogosphere. And in the news, UTube Sues YouTube.

Have you found any interesting examples?

Photo on flickr by nancycallahan

Comments

[Technology Transfer University]

found one batch that i liked: realize, real eyes and real lies.

[english make perfect]

your blog is a goodway to introduce proper way to communicte, keep up the good work.

[Professional Writer]

The American Heritage College says they're words spelled the same but sound different and have different meanings. Merriam-Webster hedged a bit with words spelled the same but may sound different and have different meanings. Encarta says, simply, words spelled the same but have different meanings .

[fake chanel handbags]

“It’s our objective to fill in those gaps that Speaker Gingrich is perhaps unable to fill in his own campaign, in terms of getting people out to the polls and messaging undecided voters,” said Charlie Smith, the treasurer of Solutions 2012.