Homophones - Steel v Steal

Steel (noun) - a type of strong metal used for making things like vehicles and buildings.

• The gate was locked with a huge padlock and a heavy steel chain.
• It seems the steel industry is doing well despite the gloomy economy.

Steal (verb) - to take sth that doesn't belong to you and keeping it.

• Daniel was fired after he admitted to stealing from the company.  
• Robbers broke into the wealthy man's house and stole all his money, watches and jewellery.

Words From The Same Family - Tire v Tireless v Tiresome

Tire (verb) - to begin to feel tired.

• Even walking up the stairs tires my aging grandmother these days.
• The long journey had tired us.

Tireless (adj) - to work energetically and continuously.

• The police have been tireless in their search for the missing child.
• Everyone at the company knows as Sam as a tireless and helpful employee.

Tiresome (adj) - annoying.

• Tim has the tiresome habit of asking the same questions over and over again.
• I find it tiresome doing house chores every week.

Homophones: Land v Lend

Land (noun): the surface of the earth that is not covered by water.

• My relatives bought a plot of land to build their dream home a few years ago.
• Land has become so scarce (= not easy to find or get) in the city. It's no wonder it's so expensive to own a piece of property now. 

Lend (verb): to give something to someone, expecting it to be returned in future.

• Michelle doesn't like lending people her books as she doesn't always get them back. 
• James only consented (= agreed) to lend Michael some money because Michael had lost his job.

Words From The Same Family - Differ v Different

Differ (verb) - not the same when compared to sth or someone else in one (or more than one) way.

• The twins may look identical (= exactly the same or very similar), but they differ in everything else.
• Matthew's views (= opinion) on marriage differs greatly from those of his parents.

Different (adj) - not the same.

• Randy finds dining at different restaurants every week fun and exciting.
• Alex is very different now that he's started working.
• Freedom means different things to different people.

Homonyms - Close (As a Verb and Adjective)

(verb) - not open.

• James was restless, but he closed his eyes and tried to get some rest.
• Sandra was very annoyed that the bank was closed by the time she got there.

(verb) - to end.

• Maria closed the meeting with a short thank you speech.

(adj) - relationship.

• Sandy and Tania are extremely (=very) close. In fact, they are always seen together
• Alex and Kelly got were close friends for many years before they started dating each other.

Here's wishing all my Chinese readers Gong Xi Fa Cai! May the year of the dog bring more joy, laughter, happiness, prosperity and health to us all!  

Verbal Idioms - Be Too Funny For Words

Meaning - to be really funny

- John's just too funny for words. He got everyone at the party laughing at his jokes last night.

- That comedy was just too funny for words. It's no wonder everyone including the children enjoyed it thoroughly (= very much).

Homophones: Merry v Marry

Merry

1.  (adj) – happy

Ø      I envy how Kate can always be so merry. It’s like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

Ø      It’s always great to hear the merry sound of laughter at family gatherings.

2.  (adj) – slightly drunk.

Ø      Jessica tends to get a bit merry after a few drinks.

Ø      Sam made sure he stopped drinking the moment he got merry as he had an early meeting the next day.

Marry (verb) – to become the legally accepted husband or wife of another person.

Ø      William has been single for so long. His family and friends doubt he’d ever get married.

Ø      Everyone is so excited that Ethan is finally going to ask Ruth to marry him.