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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. |
sent - mailed cent - 100 = $1 scent - perfume |
I sent Dad a birthday card. It cost 40 cents. Your scent smells really great. |
sell - trade for money cell - 1. small closed room 2. small part of e.g. body |
I'm going to sell my old car. 1. The prisoner was locked in a cell. 2. Plants contain millions of tiny cells. |
seller - person who sells cellar - basement room |
There's a flower seller at the station. The wine will keep cool in the cellar. |
sauce - ketchup source - origin |
I like lots of sauce on my burger. Do you know the source of the rumour? (U.S. rumor) |
council - governing group counsel - advice |
The council won't allow any more
houses here. I was given counselling after the accident. (US: counseling) |
seen - from 'see' scene - 1. place 2. part of a film or play |
Have you seen my car keys? 1. This is the scene of the accident. 2. She appears in the last scene of the film. |
symbol - sign cymbal - brass disc, used as a musical instrument |
This symbol means 'add' :
+ Bang two cymbals together. |
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peace - opposite of war piece - part, section |
If the baby is asleep there is peace
and quiet. Don't eat it all, leave me a piece. |
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cereal - wheat, corn serial - told in parts |
Most children like cereal for breakfast. This TV drama is a weekly serial. |
ceiling - roof of room sealing - closing, sticking |
We've painted the ceiling white.
This package needs sealing. |
place - location plaice - fish |
This place is far too crowded for
me. Plaice is a flat, white sea fish. |
sight - something seen site - place cite - quote, name |
I caught sight of her in the crowd. This is the site of the new superstore. He was cited in court. |
cygnet - young swan signet - mark made by seal |
Cygnets have brown plumage, not
white. Father has left me his signet ring. |
Cyprus - country cypress - tree |
Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean
Sea. A cypress is a type of fir tree. |
These two words do not sound exactly the same but are often confused as the first syllable of each has a weak vowel sound: | |
accept - agree, take except - not including |
Will you accept my apology? Everyone is allowed to go except me. |
Two more words that do not sound exactly the same but are often confused as the first syllable of each has a weak vowel sound: | |
access - approach, way in excess - too much |
There is no access to the
beach from here. There was an excess of noise at the party. |
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Go to next page: Differences in British and American spellings |
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