Homonyms from Bloc to Born

by Lisa Binion

How many of the following homonyms are you familiar with? In this article, you will learn about homonyms from bloc to born.

Bloc and block
A bloc is a group of legislators that band together to vote on a common interest. It is usually made up of those from both political parties.
The farm bloc received a lot of money from local farmers.
A block is a square shaped object.
A block of wood is needed for the building project.

Boar, Boer, boor, and bore
A boar is a wild pig.
The young men took a trip to hunt boar.
A Boer is a meat goat of South African descent.
The deep red color of the young female Boer goat made every buyer at the auction long to own her.
A boor is a rude or unmannerly individual.
People of the small community tended to stay away from the boor.
If you bore people, they tend to lose interest and fall asleep.
Marlene didn’t attend the lecture because she knew that it would bore her.

Board and bored
A board is a piece of wood that has been sawed thin.
The stack of boards were to be used to build a closet.
When one is bored, one has no interest in what is happening.
Sandy was bored to tears by the lecture she was required to attend.

Boarder and border
A boarder is a lodger who pays rent.
One of Shelley’s boarders gave her the creeps.
A border is the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer boundary.
The border of the property ran right along the edge of the woods.

Bode and bowed
Bode is a verb that means to be an omen of.
The economic status of the country bodes of hard times ahead.
Bowed means curved.
The boards have were bowed from prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight.

Bold and bowled
Bold means brave.
It takes a bold young man to approach Leah’s father and ask permission to take her on a date.
Bowled, when used as a verb phrase with the word over, means to surprise greatly.
Jack and Frieda were bowled over when their daughter walked through the door and announced that her boyfriend was no longer her boyfriend, he was now her husband.

Bolder and boulder
When one is bolder, one is braver.
Could Joseph prove he was bolder than his brothers?
A boulder is a huge rock.
Car after car crashed into the boulder that just appeared in the middle of the highway.

Bole, boll, and bowl
A bole is the stem or trunk of a tree.
The bole of the tree was so thick it would take days to cut it down.
Boll is the rounded seed vessel or pod of a plant.
The cotton bolls were infested with bugs.
A bowl is a rounded dish.
All of the bowls in the kitchen were dirty.

Boos and booze
Boos are cries of disapproval from an audience.
Her long awaited performance brought only boos from the disappointed fans.
Booze is whiskey or other alcoholic beverage.
The trooper found the wrecked car full of stolen booze.

Born, borne, and bourn
Born means to be brought forth by birth.
Her children have all been born at the local hospital.
Borne is the past participle of bear.
Surely Christ hath borne our griefs.
A bourn is a small stream or boundary.
The bourn behind the cottage is where she found her lost ring.

Books - The Printing Press

It was in 1450 that the world of printing changed forever.  Johannes Gutenberg took ideas that the Chinese had been using for several hundred years and developed a machine that could mass produce books, pamphlets, and notices at an unheard of rate.  It came at a perfect time as unrest was spreading throughout Europe.

Martin Luther’s German translation of the Christian Bible was printed using the press.  This made the Bible available for the first time in history to all mankind and even in their own native tongue. 

The printing press would be the exploding turn in the history of books that would change the world forever.  For the first time, a book could be printed in hours and days instead of decades.  A book could be printed more than once in a few days instead of one copy in a lifetime.

Political propaganda could be quickly spread throughout a land in such a way that politics became more open and public.  Religious works were mass produced including sermons and commentary.  Books of poetry became more numerous.

The printing press shaped the world we live in today.  Without it, history would be so different.  How far would religious thought have spread?  How much influence would governments have had over the people?  How fast would minds be inspired to create the light bulb, automobile, or new surgical techniques?

Through the wonder of the printing press, ideas, romance, imagination, religion, and even freedom was discovered.  The mass printing of Uncle Tom's Cabin many people were influenced during the American Civil War in regard to slavery.  Aristotle’s works went beyond dusty libraries and were available for the common man to work.  The written word has drastically influenced history.

Books have come from clay tablets that available only to the government or the rich to easy to carry paperbacks that fit in a pocket that everyone can have.  Ideas flow from country to country.  Discoveries are revealed and expounded on through the various books that can be found in coffee shops, libraries, and even our book shelves.

Defining a Verb

 by Lisa Binion

What exactly is a verb?  Simply put, a verb is a word that expresses action (to jump),  occurrence (to take place), or existence by using a form of the verb 'be' (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been).  A sentence is not complete unless it has both a subject and a verb, so it is important to be able to recognize them.  There are many different kinds of verbs.  For right now, we are going to learn about action verbs, linking verbs, state of being verbs, and helping verbs.

Action Verbs

 Action verbs are easy to recognize because they show action, even if the action takes place in the mind.  Mental action verbs include words such as think, contemplate, and worry.  Physical action verbs include words such as jump, talk, run, and drive.  

The bear chased after its prey.

The bear is in action, chasing after its food.

The ghost floated through the cemetery.

A ghost cannot float through some place while remaining still, it must be moving. 

Richard thought about how to write the story.

Thinking takes place completely in the mind, therefore it shows mental action.

Maynard worried about his new job.

Once again, worry takes place completely in the mind, therefore it shows mental action.

State of Being Verbs

 State of being verbs link the subject of the sentence to information about it.  There are eight of these verbs.  The eight state of being verbs are:  is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been.  Now for some examples of the state of being verb in action.

Amanda is calm.

In the above sentence, is links Amanda to information about her.  We learn that she is calm.  That is her state of being.

Sheila was very angry.

In the above sentence, was links Sheila to information about her.  We learn that she was angry.  That is her state of being.

Linking Verbs

 State of being verbs are often confused with linking verbs.  That is because they are sometimes used as linking verbs.  Linking verbs do just what their name implies – they link the subject to information that renames or describes it. 

Verbs that are sometimes used as linking verbs are:  feel, taste, look, smell, appear, grow, remain, stay, turn, seem, sound, become, prove.  The eight state of being verbs also sometimes function as linking verbs.  Now for some examples of linking verbs in action.

The roaring lion looked hungry.

In the above sentence, looked links the subject 'lion' to a descriptive word, 'hungry'.  We learn that the lion is hungry.

The kitten grew tired.

in the above sentence, grew links the subject 'kitten' to a word that describes it, 'tired'.  We learn that the kitten is tired.

Since most words that function as linking verbs can also function as some other type of verb, how do you know for sure when it is functioning as a linking verb?  There is one very simple thing you can do.  Try substituting 'is' or 'are' for the verb.  If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is most likely being used as a linking verb.

Helping Verbs

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, enable you to change the main verb to show past, present, or future tense without changing the main verb.  There are twenty-three helping  verbs and you simply put one of them in front of the main verb.  These wonderful verbs are:  can, could, would, should, do , does, did, has, have, had, may, might, must, shall, and will.  The eight state of being verbs (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) also function as helping verbs.

Below are some examples of how helping verbs are used.

Precious jumps over the couch. - The verb is in the present tense in this sentence.

Precious will jump over the couch. - Placing the helping verb 'will' in front of jump puts the verb in the future tense.

Precious had jumped over the couch. - Now the verb is in the past tense.

Homonyms from Bait to Bear

by Lisa Binion

Our journey into the world of homonyms continues, as we explore words from bail through bear that are spelled differently, yet sound alike.

Bait and bate
Bait can be used as either a noun or a verb. As a noun, it is a lure used in hunting or fishing. As a verb it means to attract, tempt, or captivate.
Worms are commonly used as bait in fishing.
Bate, a verb, means to lessen or restrain.
The toddler's tirade will bate if she manages to get her own way.

Baize, bays, and beys
Baize is a soft, green, felt-like fabric used for the tops of billiard tables.
Charlena bought a special cleaner to care for the baize on her new pool table.
Bays are bodies of water, larger than coves but smaller than gulfs.
The treasure was rumored to be hidden in one of the bays off of the coast of New England.
Beys are one or more officials in the Turkish government.
The President visited Istanbul to meet with several beys.

Bald, balled, and bawled
If you are bald, you have no hair.
Our new neighbor, Mr. Jones, is bald.
Balled is to form something into a ball.
The children balled up the snow to form a snowman.
Bawled is to have cried vigorously.
Mrs. Dawkins bawled upon learning that her only child had been kidnapped.

Ball and bawl are also homonyms.
A ball is a round object, hollow or filled, that is used in various games such as kickball, baseball, basketball, etc.
Marvin whacked the tennis ball right off of the court.
To bawl is to cry lustily.
Sandy, a very spoiled child, would always bawl when she didn’t get her way.

Band and banned
A band is a group.
The band of weary travellers searched for a place to sleep.
When something is banned, it is forbidden.
The dictatorship banned newspapers from publishing news of the riots.

Bard and barred
A bard is a poet.
William Shakespeare is a famout English bard.
When something is barred, it is enclosed or trapped by poles.
The prisoner stared out the barred window of his cell.

Bare and bear
When something is bare, it is naked.
Dorothy, proud of how shapely her bare legs were, always wore shorts.
A bear is a large, carnivorous mammal or a rude, bad-mannered person.
Shelia spotted a huge brown bear searching for fish in the lake outside her cabin.

Homonyms from Away to Baling

by Lisa Binion

Homonyms are everywhere. How many of these can you incorporate into what you are writing?

Away and aweigh
Away has several meanings. Sometimes it is an adjective, sometimes an adverb. One of the more common meanings is used to tell distance.
The store is six miles away from her house.
Aweigh, a nautical term, means no longer hooked to the bottom.
”Anchors aweigh!” the captain’s voice boomed throughout the ship.

Awed and odd
To be awed is to be in a state of amazement and wonder.
I am awed by the grace of God.
Odd means different, unusual, out of the ordinary.
Linda’s odd way of dressing made her an outcast among the students.

Awful and offal
Awful means horrible, terrible, or dreadful.
The awful state of affairs in the nation led to unrest among its citizens.
Offal is the parts of a butchered animal considered to be inedible by humans. It also means garbage. There are two pronunciations for this word, one of which makes it a homonym for awful.
Mary’s job was to dispose of the offal.

Aye, eye, and I
Aye means yes.
”Aye,” responded Charlie, “Fred does seem to be in a foul mood today.”
An eye is the organ we see with.
His single eye scanned the room in search of the villain.
I means oneself.
I am a writer.

Bail and bale
Bail is money paid to assure that a person released from custody will return to court at the appointed time.
Thomas’s parents could not pay the required bail to keep him from going to prison.
A bale is a bundle of hay secured together by cords.
We bought a bale of hay for the goats to eat on throughout the winter.

Bailed and baled
These are the past tense of the verb forms of bail and bale.
Thomas’s uncle bailed him out of jail.
On Saturday, Farmer Joe baled the hay.

Bailee, bailey, and bailie
The bailee is the person who receives bail money paid.
Thomas’s uncle paid the bailee.
A bailey is a defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
The soldiers attacked the bailey.
A bailie is a magistrate.
Kenneth ran for bailie.

Bailer, bailor, and baler
A bailer is one who bails water.
Joseph felt that his job as bailer was menial.
A bailor is the person that gives money or goods to a bailee.
The bailor for Thomas was his uncle.
A baler is one who bales hay.
Ian’s first job was as a baler on his grandfather’s farm.

Bailing and baling
Bailing is to dip water out of a boat or other flooded area.
Bailing out the basement is not my idea of New Year’s Eve fun.
Baling is compressing hay into a bale.
Ian is baling the hay.

Book Covers

Book covers are great for protecting books and for personalizing them. They can be bought or handmade. They are ideal for paperback or hardcover books.

Sometimes our coffee splashes as we set it down. It might splash right onto the cover of our book. The panic and the frustration sets in. Most books have unique and descriptive covers. Some can be made out of leather. Others have beautiful pictures. Avid readers like to protect their books.

Just like the actual cover of the book, book covers can be unique. When school starts, you can find book covers that are stretchable to cover textbooks. These tend to bend the corners and not preferred by teachers. What the students general do is make book covers out of paper grocery bags or packing paper.  Students enjoy decorating these covers and really personalizing them. Stickers, markers, and even pictures can find their way onto textbooks.

What about other books? What kind of book covers grace a mystery book or a novel? These tend to be cloth ones that can also be functional and fun.

There are not a thousand different sizes in books. Typically most books fall within certain measurements. That is why you can own just a couple of cloth book covers that can meet all your reading needs.

To sew a book cover all you need is fabric, Velcro, and a book to measure it for. There are several patterns that are available. Each book cover can be custom made for all your books. Choose a fabric pattern that reflects you and the type of books you read. Add a handle to it for easy transportation. It can be customized with a bookmark to mark your place.

You can also crochet a book cover. If you know how to crochet and have some yarn, you can make a creative book cover. Colors for men or women can be used. Even add a charm to customize it.

There are also book covers that you can purchase. There are many different kinds: leather, vinyl, and stretchable.

Make your own or buy them. Book covers are great to keep your books clean and easy to transport. See what book covers can make you smile or make a child happy. They make the books even more personal.

Book Etiquette

Most people do not know proper book etiquette.  Yes, there is a proper way to handle a book.  By treating a book just right, you are ensuring that the book lasts and give enjoyment to you and to others for years to come.  Wouldn’t it be great to hand down a collection of Beatrix Potter stories to your children’s children and see it still in good condition to last a few more generations?

There are books in existence today that are hundreds of years old because someone took real good care of them.  So, how can you treat your book well and give it long life?  Follow these suggestions:

Clean Hands – Always open a book and handle it with clean hands.  You would be amazed at what all ends up on your hands throughout the day and transfers to the things you touch.  It could be food, makeup, or even dirt.  If you do not have clean hands, you transfer that grease and grime to the pages of the beloved book.  Before long, the book will look older than it is and even some words could become illegible.

No Food or Drink – When you eat and drink while reading, you are more than likely going to share some of the food with your book.  You might think that children are the only ones who do that.  Yes, children will always share with the book their lunch or snack.  So, for them that is a great idea not to eat and read at the same time.  But adults are guilty of it, too.  We don’t mean to do it, but in our habit of eating while deeply engrossed in our books we tend to share.  It is very easy to be eating that chocolate chip muffin and drinking the latte while reading a classic.  Just as the door mysteriously opens for the heroine, our chocolate fingers turn the page.  Oops!  It is hard for adults to not read and eat at the same time as we do it on our lunch breaks.  Try to keep a napkin handy and be very conscience in not sharing your food.

Books are not Coasters – Too many times people use their books as coasters.  This damages the cover of the book and makes it less attractive.  It can even totally warp the pretty cover.  Use a real coaster and keep the book clean.

Keep on the Shelf – It is important that when a book is not being read that it stays on the shelf.  This keeps the book protected from spills, children, and other potential damage.  The bookshelf is the books home where it should remain safe and sound.

Use Bookmarks – It is so easy to just bend the corner of a page to mark where you last read.  This is damaging to the book as over time that part of the page weakens and eventually tears off.  Keep your pages safe by always using a bookmark.  You do not have to purchase a fancy bookmark.  A scrap of paper will do.  But you can have fun making your own bookmarks.

Kind to the Spine – You are in the middle of reading your latest book.  The phone rings.  What do you do?  Lay the book down completely open to the page you were reading.  Yes, it is easy to pick it up and begin reading again, but you are now putting undue stress on the spine of your book.  This weakens the spine which later can lead to the book falling apart.  Always use a bookmark and close your book completely.

Limit Accessibility to Children/Pets – Yes, we want our children to enjoy books, but there are times when we need to limit how easy it is to get a book.  It is sickening to open up a book that you love and find where little Jane or John decided that the book was boring without pictures and decided to help you.  Until children are taught proper book etiquette, it might be wise to keep books out of the reach of children.  Even their own books can become victim of the “crayon monster”.  In addition to children, keep books out of the reach of pets.  Dogs love to chew and nothing is too good for them.  Protect your books.

If you follow these tips and take good care of your books, they will last for years.  This does not take into account the quality of the pages or the binding.  There are some books poorly put together and have the pages falling out as soon as they are opening.  But if you have good quality books, you can enjoy them for decades.  Enjoy your books and pass them on to others.