In English, there are many words that sound and are spelled the same but have different meanings. These are called homonyms. It may sound confusing, but in this second lesson in the series (the first lesson was back in October), we'll look at some examples to help clarify the differences so that mixing them up can be avoided!

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A good example of a homonym is the different meanings of the noun "bat":

And they'd go in. Skill Cole had a baseball bat. You know they don't play baseball.

And they'd go in. Skill Cole had a baseball bat. You know they don't play baseball.

Caption 28, The Wailers - Talk About the Early Days with Bob Marley

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Well, he'd tell you it was because of that time a bat flew through his window.

Well, he'd tell you it was because of that time a bat flew through his window.

Caption 37, Pop Psych - Batman Goes To Therapy

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Thus "bat" can mean the large wooden stick used in the game of baseball, as well as the flying mammalian species for whom the superhero Batman is named.

I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree.

I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree.

Caption 3, A Charlie Brown Christmas - True Meaning

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Turn left and carry on going until you reach Brushfield Street

Turn left and carry on going until you reach Brushfield Street

and turn right down it.

and turn right down it.

Captions 26-27, Giving Directions - with Lauren and Matt

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In the above, you can see that "right" can mean either "correct" or the direction that is the opposite of "left."

We're putting out special little clips that aren't in the film.

We're putting out special little clips that aren't in the film.

Caption 28, Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World - Electric Playground Interview

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Fill a glass with water and challenge your friends to float a paper clip

Fill a glass with water and challenge your friends to float a paper clip

on top of the liquid. Every time they place something into the glass.

on top of the liquid. Every time they place something into the glass.

Captions 9-10, Richard Wiseman - 10 Bets You Will Always Win

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A "clip" can be a segment of film or video footage, or the small metal object used to hold papers together.

Let's start with the letter "r".

Let's start with the letter "r".

Caption 18, British vs American - English Pronunciation Lesson

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We're going to explore how to write a successful cover letter.

We're going to explore how to write a successful cover letter.

Caption 2, Business English - Cover Letter

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The noun "letter" can thus be referring either to the alphabet or to the piece of paper you write upon to send in the mail.

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Further Learning
To find more instances of homonyms like these, have a look at Yabla English and see if you can find more examples in a real-world context.

In English, the verb to borrow means to take or use something that belongs to someone else for a short period of time. The verb to lend is to give something to a person for a short period of time. These two words often get mixed up by non-native speakers, so let's look at some examples. 

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In the following example, Valentino lends the clothes and Sharon Stone borrows the clothes. In the end, she has to give them back.

So Valentino, the designer, lends me clothes to wear for appearances.

Caption 64, Ask Jimmy Carter - Another Interview with Sharon Stone

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The phrase "lend a hand" means "to help out."

I would not lend a hand

Caption 5, Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

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In the following sentence, Richard Wiseman tells you to use your friend's money to play a trick on them.

Borrow a note from a friend. Ask them to place their hands palm down.

Caption 49, Richard Wiseman - 10 bets you will always win

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Of course, some people keep things for longer than they should...

You are so welcome to borrow her for the next, like, ten years or so.

Caption 5, Selena Gomez - Ramona And Beezus - Trailer

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So now you know that saying "Johnny borrowed me ten dollars" is completely wrong! You have to say either "Johnny lent me ten dollars" or "I borrowed ten dollars from Johnny."

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Further Learning
Write some sentences that begin with "I recently borrowed..." and "I recently lent..." Re-write the sentences above from Yabla English so that they use the other verb and remembering to change the subject and object of the sentence accordingly.