Homonyms
* Definition: Words that are spelled the same and have the same pronunciation, but have different meanings.
* Example: "Bat" (a flying mammal) and "bat" (a piece of equipment used in baseball).
Homophones
* Definition: Words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings and meanings.
* Example: "There," "their," and "they're" all sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Key Differences:
* Spelling: Homophones differ in spelling, while homonyms have the same spelling.
* Meaning: Both homonyms and homophones have different meanings, but the difference in spelling helps distinguish between homophones.
Examples:
* Homonyms:
* "Bear" (an animal) and "bear" (to carry)
* "Fair" (just) and "fair" (a carnival)
* Homophones:
* "See" and "sea"
* "To" and "too" and "two"
Remember: While homonyms and homophones can be tricky, they are a natural part of the English language. Understanding the difference can help you avoid confusion in your writing and speaking!