1. Homographs: These words have the same spelling but different meanings and often different pronunciations.
* Examples:
* "Bat" (a flying mammal) and "Bat" (a piece of equipment used in baseball)
* "Bow" (a knot) and "Bow" (to bend at the waist)
* "Lead" (a heavy metal) and "Lead" (to guide)
2. Homophones: These words have the same pronunciation but different spellings and different meanings.
* Examples:
* "To", "Too", and "Two"
* "There", "Their", and "They're"
* "Hear" and "Here"
* "Write" and "Right"
3. Homonyms (strict sense): This is the most general term that encompasses both homographs and homophones. It refers to any words that sound the same but have different meanings, regardless of their spelling.
It's important to note that some sources use the term "homonym" to only refer to words that are both spelled and pronounced the same (like "bat" and "bat"). However, the broader definition encompassing homographs and homophones is more widely accepted.
Understanding the different types of homonyms is crucial for clear and effective communication, both written and spoken.