English is One Funny Language!

One of my neighbors, who was a school teacher, dropped the following off for me last week.  Not really sure where she found this but it does substantiate our earlier conversation of how difficult the English language really is.

Think about this:  There are three different ways to spell a word and yet they have the same pronunciation: For, Four, Fore.  Then there is one spelling and two different pronunciations and another spelling (yet pronounced the same as the present tense but means something completely different): Read, Read, Red.

Reasons Why English is Hard to Learn!

  • The bandage was wound around the wound.
  • The farm was used to produce produce.
  • The dump was so full it had to refuse some refuse.
  • He could lead if he'd get the lead out.
  • Since there was no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
  • When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
  • I did not object to the object.
  • They were too close to the door to close it.
  • The buck does funny things when the does are present.
  • My bow took a bow after his final performance.
  • So, if only we could sow a garden as quickly as we can sew a button.
  • A seamstress and a sewer fell down into the sewer,
  • The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
  • The officer had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
  • To help with planting the farmer taught his sow to sow.
  • Upon seeing a tear in her favorite dress, she shed a tear.
  • They're going over there to get their dessert in the desert.
  • We can hear the music all the way over here.
  • The artist's stationery is now located in a stationary location.
  • Be careful not to trip when you take your next trip.

How about Choose and Chose?  Bet you've seen those words misused.

We won't even get in to the different phrases like, "That is way cool!"  or "That car is hot (good looking)."  Wait a minute, speaking of hot, how about this one, "We don't handle hot (stolen) merchandise in this store." or "The pan is hot (temperature), so be careful."

Whoa!  Can we make it any more difficult?  Bet we can!  United States of America speaks English but each area of the country has different dialects and phrases.  Then listen to people from Britain or Canada and their English is completely different yet.

P.S.,  What tricks do you use to remember the proper pronunciation or usage of a particular word?

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Substance of Living

Comments

  1. I love language. I find it very interesting. In my part of England, Yorkshire, we use very strange language indeed. We're known for the use of old-English words like "thee" as well as dropping the "the" in sentences. A typical Barnsley sentence might be: "Ah tha gooin darn't shop fo some spice?" Translation: "are you going to the shop for some sweets?" It's like another language. I used to hate it but now I'm sort of learning to appreciate it.

    aNonyMous @ Radical Ramblings

    ReplyDelete
  2. aNonyMous,

    Thank you so much for stopping by. DH and I watch as many TV series and movies from England as we can and have to admit that it takes a bit of rewinding to catch everything that is said. Some of it still goes over my head, I think I need a thesaurus. :-)

    Cheers!
    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  3. So true it is really difficult to learn and my hat goes off to those learning English as a second language. Thanks for stopping by my blog and I am happy to be your newest follower.
    http://www.practicallyperfectprincess.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hahaha! Wait until you hear about our all-too-many languages and local dialects here in the Philippines! :)

    ReplyDelete

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