Homophones for the short vowel sound /ĕ/: e or ea

homophones - learn to spell similar sounding words

Homophones from this section:

If you confuse these words the computer spellchecker will not spot your mistake -
so it is especially important to learn them.

weather - climate: rainy, hot etc.

whether - two choices - if

We had good weather last week.

I don't know whether to go home or stay here.

a) Think of the weather at sea (and draw it?).

b) When you use the word whether, it is rather like asking a question:
Shall I go or stay? - and the 'question' words begin with wh.

led - shown the way

lead - a heavy, soft metal

The tour guide led us up the hill.

The roof was made of lead.

Lead has the letter a - so does metal.

red - the colour (US color)

read - past tense of read

She wore a red sweater.

He read the whole book in one day.

lent - gave on loan

leant - past tense of lean

Mike lent me $100.

We leant over the ship's rail.

check or cheque?

In British spelling the meanings are:

check -make sure something is correct.

cheque - a written order to a bank.

In America, check is used for both meanings.

Check that the car is locked.

I paid for the room by cheque.

lesson - teaching time

lessen - make less

His favourite lesson is Spanish.

When the rain lessens we'll go out.

medal - badge given as a reward

meddle - interfere

Sara won the silver medal.

Please don't meddle with my things.

berry - fruit of tree or bush

bury - put in the ground

The holly berry is bright red.

My dog likes to bury bones.

sent - mailed

cent - 100 = $1

scent - perfume

I sent Dad a birthday card.

It cost 40 cents.

Your scent smells really great.

seller - person who sells

cellar - basement room

There's a flower seller at the station.

The wine will keep cool in the cellar.

next part of the spelling course
Go to next part of this unit:
Spelling the short vowel sound /ĭ/.