purse, pussy (cat)

purse -  /pɝːs/

pussy - /ˈpʊsi/

•  She clutched her purse tightly as the pussy cat rubbed against her leg.
• I lost my purse at the pet store while looking for a toy for my pussy cat.
• Her grandmother gave her a new leather purse, but she spent the day playing with a stray pussy cat instead.
• She placed her purse on the couch, and her pussy cat jumped inside.
• The little girl carried a pink purse with a picture of a cute pussy cat on it.
• She reached into her purse to grab treats for her fluffy pussy cat.
• He mistakenly thought she had put her purse on the floor, but it was actually a small, curled-up pussy cat.
• The lady opened her purse and pulled out a picture of her beloved pussy cat.
• While shopping for a purse, she couldn't resist adopting a tiny, meowing pussy cat from the shelter.
• As she zipped up her purse, her curious pussy cat pawed at it playfully.

• Purse - /pɝːs/ - кошелек, маленькая сумочка

   Рифмуется со словами  "worse" и "curse".

В единственном слоге звук "ɝː" как в словах "nurse" и "first".

• Pussy - /ˈpʊsi/ или /ˈpʌsi/ - кошечка, киска

Рифмуется со словами "pushy" и "bushy" в большинстве акцентов.

В первом слоге "u"  в этом слове чаще произносится как /ʊ/ как в слове "push" , но в некоторых акцентах иногда как короткий звук "uh" - /ʌ/ , как в слове "cup".

Состоит из двух слогов:   puss-y.

Оканчивается на звук "ee" - /i/,  как и слова "happy" и "silly" .

Это слово часто употребляется в неприличном смысле, поэтому избегайте говорить его отдельно - лучше: pussy cat.

fluffy - /ˈflʌfi/ - пушистый

hit, heat

hit - /hɪt/

heat -  /hiːt/ 

• The baseball player hit the ball so hard that he didn’t even feel the heat of the sun.
• If you hit the metal while it’s hot, the heat will help shape it.
• The sudden heat wave hit the city, making everyone rush to buy fans.
• She accidentally hit the oven knob, increasing the heat too much.
• The boxer took a strong hit, but the real challenge was fighting in the intense heat of the arena.
• When the fire alarm went off, they realized the kitchen was filled with smoke from the heat, not from anything being hit.
• The storm hit suddenly, making the summer heat disappear in minutes.
• The scientist explained that when molecules are hit with energy, they produce heat.
• The coach told the players to stay hydrated because the heat can hit them harder than they expect.
• He forgot to turn off the stove, and the extreme heat nearly hit the boiling point.

• Hit  - /hɪt/ - ударять, удар

Короткий звук "ɪ", рифмуется со словами "sit" и "bit".

• Heat - /hiːt/ - жара, жар

Долгий звук "iː", рифмуется со словами "meet" and "seat".

close, cloth

close - /kloʊs/ - когда прилагательное

close - /kloʊz/ - когда глагол

cloth - /klɔːθ/

   

• Please close the door gently so the wind doesn’t blow away the cloth on the table.
• She hung a piece of cloth over the window to keep it close to pitch black inside.
• The tailor cut the cloth carefully, making sure to get a close fit.
• He held the cloth close to the fire to dry it faster.
• If you look close enough, you’ll see a small stain on the cloth.
• The artist used a soft cloth to wipe the painting, keeping his movements close to the surface.
• She pressed the cloth close to the wound to stop the bleeding.
• The factory workers handled the cloth with care, inspecting each roll up close before shipping.
• After ironing, she folded the cloth neatly and placed it close to the other linens.
• He wrapped a warm cloth around his shoulders and sat close to the fireplace.

• Close - 1) /kloʊs/ - когда прилагательное: близкий, 2)  /kloʊz/ когда глагол: закрывать

Когда прилагательной близкий, то /kloʊs/ и рифмуется с "dose".

Когда глагол закрывать, то /kloʊz/ и рифмуется с "hose".

• Cloth - /klɔːθ/ - ткань

Оканчивается на мягкий звук "th" как в слове "both".

abject, object

abject - /ˈæbˌdʒɛkt/

object - /ˈɑːbˌdʒɛkt/  - существительное

object - /əbˈdʒɛkt/  - глагол

• The abject poverty in the city made the broken statue an object of sorrow.
• His abject apology did not change the object of our disagreement.
• She lived in abject conditions, with no valuable object to her name.
• The prisoner’s abject plea for mercy did not sway the judge, who remained focused on the object of the trial.
• The film depicted the abject suffering of war victims, making it an object of deep discussion.
• His abject failure in business turned his once-prized invention into a worthless object.
• He spoke with abject despair, treating his old trophy as just another dusty object on the shelf.
• Their abject living conditions made even a simple toy an object of great joy.
• The refugees' abject situation turned food into an object of survival rather than pleasure.
• His abject fear of rejection made him avoid becoming the object of anyone’s attention.

• Abject - /ˈæbˌdʒɛkt/ или /ˈæbˌdʒɪkt/ - отвратительный, жалкий, презренный

Ударение на первый слог, первый звук æ.

• Object  - 1) /ˈɑːbˌdʒɛkt/ - когда существительное: объект, предмет, цель, 2)  /əbˈdʒɛkt/ - когда глагол - возражать

 Когда существительное, ударение на первый слог, первый звук ɑ : OB-ject

 Когда глагол, ударение на второй слог, первый звук ə: ob-JECT

us, ass

us - /ʌs/

ass - /æs/

•  Us - /ʌs/ - нас

 Произносится с коротким расслабленным английским звуком "uh", таким, как в словах "fun"и "sun." 

Звук "s" в конце слова очень слабый "s".

•  Ass - /æs/ - задница

Произносится с коротким открытым, более акцентированным звуком "a", как в словах "cat" и "hat".

Оканчивается на сильный, явный звук "s".

sack, suck

sack- /sæk/

suck - /sʌk/

• He threw the sack over his shoulder and complained, "These long trips really suck".
• If you leave the sack of potatoes in the rain, they’ll suck up all the water.
• The vacuum can easily suck out the dust from the old sack.
• He reached into the sack of candy, only to find that all the chocolates had melted into a sticky suck of a mess.
• The baby tried to suck on the bottle, but it was empty, just like the sack of flour.
• She filled the sack with rice, making sure it didn’t suck in any moisture.
• The football player held onto the sack, knowing that dropping it would really suck for his team.
• He placed the sack of groceries on the counter and muttered, "Prices really suck these days".
• If you poke a hole in the sack, it might suck in air and lose its airtight seal.
• Carrying such a heavy sack up the stairs is going to suck all my energy.

• Sack (/sæk/) -  мешок, куль. Рифмуется со словами "back" и"track".

"Sack" имеет короткий звук "a", как в слове "cat".

• Suck (/sʌk/)  - сосать, впитывать, втянуть. Рифмуется со словами "luck" и "truck".

"Suck" имеет короткий звук "u", как в слове "cup".

row, raw

row - /roʊ/

raw - /rɔː/

• He sat in the front row while eating a plate of raw vegetables.
• The chef arranged the sushi in a neat row on the platter, showcasing the fresh raw fish.
• After a heated row with his friend, he stormed out into the raw night air.
• The farmer planted the seeds in a straight row, hoping they would grow well in the raw soil.
• The artist painted a row of houses using raw and vibrant colors.
• She carefully aligned the freshly cut logs in a row, leaving the raw wood exposed.
• The wrestling team sat in a row on the bench, applying ice to their raw bruises.
• The butcher arranged the raw steaks in a perfect row on the counter.
• The students stood in a row, shivering in the raw morning air.
• His hands were raw from rowing the boat across the lake in a steady row of strokes.

• Row - /roʊ/ - 1) ряд, 2) ссора

рифмуется с go, snow, show.

Длинный  английский звук "roh" - "o".

We sat in the front row of the theater.

Row в значении ссора в British English иногда произносится как /raʊ/ рифмуясь с "cow", но в American English это слово произносится как /roʊ/.

After a heated row with his friend, Jake stormed out into the raw winter air.

• Raw - /rɔː/ или /rɑː/ - сырой, необработанный

рифмуется с saw, law, flaw.

Широкий английский звук "aw".

I don’t like eating raw fish.

door, dough

door - /dɔr/

dough - /doʊ/

• She left the dough to rise near the door so it would stay warm.
• As I opened the door, I saw him kneading the dough in the kitchen.
• The smell of fresh dough baking filled the house as I stepped through the door.
• He accidentally dropped the dough on the floor while rushing to answer the door.
• She placed the bowl of dough by the back door to let it rest.
• Before he could roll out the dough, someone knocked loudly on the door.
• The bakery’s door was open, and the sight of fresh dough being shaped inside was inviting.
• I locked the door and then went back to check if the dough was ready.
• The wind blew the door shut just as I was about to put the dough in the oven.
• He pushed the door open with his elbow since his hands were covered in dough.

• Door - /dɔr/ - дверь

/dɔr/ или в некоторых акцентах /dʊr/ - рифмуется с "more" и "floor".

• Dough - /doʊ/ - 1) тесто, 2) деньги, бабло

рифмуется с "go" and "low".

further, farther

further - /ˈfɜːrðər/

farther - /ˈfɑːðər/

• I can walk farther than I thought, but we need to discuss the further steps for the project. 
• The meeting was postponed to a further date, but we had to walk farther to reach the office.
• We need to explore this further, but the hiking trail goes much farther than I expected.
• Can you go farther down the road to see if there’s a further sign?
• The river stretches farther than I imagined, and further investigation is needed.
• She ran farther into the forest, but we need further discussion on the matter.
• The road seems to stretch farther each time we drive, but we still have further questions.
• We need further clarification on the instructions, and we will walk farther to find the right location.
• The mountain peak is farther away than we thought, but we’ll discuss further details tomorrow.
• The problem might extend farther than we think, so we need to examine it further.

• Further - /ˈfɑːðər/ - дальше, далее, кроме того. Относится к абстрактным идеям, таким как дополнительные шаги, обсуждение или исследование.

"u" в слове "further" произносится как короткий английский звук "ur" - как в словах "burn" и "fur". 

Точно так же как похожее слово "farther," на конце "er" произносится как schwa (/ə/), нейтральный английский звук "uh."

• Farther - /ˈfɜːrðər/ - - сравнительное от far - дальше, далее.  Oтносится к физическому расстоянию (в пространстве или длине).

"a" в слове "farther" произносится как широкий английский звук "ah" - как "a" в слове "father". Это длинный, открытый звук

Еще примеры:

• Can you explain this further?
• We need to further investigate the issue.
• Let's talk further about this topic.
• I will need to further research this topic
• He is committed to furthering his education.
• I need to walk farther down the street.
• The beach is farther from here than I thought.
• Can we walk farther into the woods?
• She walked farther than anyone else.

father, farther

father - /ˈfɑːðə/

farther -  /ˈfɑːðə(r)/

• My father walked farther than anyone else during our hike.
• The farther we drove, the more my father told stories from his childhood.
• Her father wanted to move farther away from the city for peace and quiet.
• My father can throw a baseball much farther than I can.
• They asked their father how much farther the trip would be.
• His father always said that hard work would take you farther in life.
• My father's house is farther up the hill than I remembered.
• Their father encouraged them to run farther each day to build endurance.
• The farther we traveled, the more my father missed home.
• My father explained that "further" is about ideas, while "farther" is about distance — and now I'm confused!

• Father - /ˈfɑːðə/ - отец
• Farther - /ˈfɑːðə(r)/ - сравнительное от far - дальше, далее

cost, coast

cost - /kɔːst/

coast - /koʊst/

• The cost of living on the coast has increased dramatically in the past decade.
• We need to calculate the cost of shipping goods from the east coast to the west.
• The coast offers beautiful views, but the cost of beachfront property is extremely high.
• The hurricane damaged the coast, and the cost of repairs will be enormous.
• It might cost less to vacation inland than to stay on the coast.
• The cost of seafood is usually lower when you buy it directly on the coast.
• They moved from the Gulf coast because the cost of flood insurance was too high.
• Exploring the coast by boat adds to the overall cost of the trip.
• The cost of fuel for boats along the coast has surged recently.
• The company relocated to the coast, even though the cost of operations there is higher.

    • Cost: /kɔːst/ - рифмуется с "lost" , "frost" , "tossed". Губы более расслабленные. Kороткий гласный звук, открытый и "плоский" как и в словах: "boss" и "dog".

На конце четко произносится st.

    • Coast: /koʊst/ - рифмуется с "toast", "ghost", "most", "host", "roast". Гласный звук дольше, такой как в: "go" и "show". В начале губы более округлены и дальше двигаются медленно.

На конце st произносится менее четко.

surge - /səːdʒ/ - всплеск; повышаться

wallet, valet

wallet - /ˈwɑː.lɪt/

valet - /væˈleɪ/

• I handed my wallet to the valet by mistake instead of my car keys.
• The valet noticed my wallet was left on the seat and returned it to me.
• Before tipping the valet, I had to check if I had any cash in my wallet.
• My wallet slipped out of my pocket just as the valet opened the car door.
• The valet brought my car around, and I grabbed my wallet to pay him.
• I left my wallet at home, so I couldn’t tip the valet.
• The valet service was expensive, but luckily I had enough cash in my wallet.
• The valet found my wallet under the passenger seat while cleaning the car.
• I kept my valet ticket inside my wallet so I wouldn’t lose it.
• My wallet was too bulky, so I left it in the car with the valet.

• Wallet - /ˈwɑː.lɪt/ или /ˈwɑː.lət/ - кошелек, портмоне

"a" произносится как "a" в слове father.

"t" звук мягкий, слабый

wallet - короче в произношении, на конце короткие /ɪt/ или /ət/.

• Valet - /væˈleɪ/ (чаще всего) или /ˈvælɪt/ (реже, устаревшее) - слуга, гостиничный работник, парковщик

Два этих слова в написании заканчиваются одинаково на -et, но произносятся совершенно по-разному.

Valet - пришло из французского языка, что привело к тому что в гостиничной сфере слово произносили как val-LAY.

Помнить про разницу в произношении в начале слов между W и V.

rocks vs stones

 В американском английском слова "rocks" и "stones" относятся к твердым природным минералам, в словарях переводятся одинаково, как "камни", но есть некоторые тонкие различия в использовании и значении:

    1. Rocks: это более общий термин, который может относиться к крупным кускам минерального вещества или всему твердому веществу земной коры. Его часто используют для описания природных, больших кусков или масс материала, а также можно использовать метафорически (например, "rock music"). Rock также может использоваться в переносном смысле для обозначения сильного и устойчивого объекта или личности.

/rɒk/

валун, скала, утёc

    2. Stones. Обычно это небольшие, более удобные для обработки куски камня. Stones обычно меньше по размеру и часто используются для определенных целей, например, в строительстве или отделке. Stones часто ассоциируется с природными материалами, такими как мрамор, гранит или известняк. Этот термин также может использоваться для обозначения отдельных кусков определенных типов горных пород (например, "gemstones" - драгоценные камни).

/stəʊn/

камушек, камень (тип материала), галька, булыжник

• It is made of stone.
• That's a huge rock.
• We climbed to the top of the rock and enjoyed the breathtaking view.
• He threw the rocks into the river, while I collected smaller stones to make a necklace.
• He is a rock of support for his family during difficult times. 
• The house was built with stones from the nearby quarry. 
• She wore a beautiful necklace with a precious stone pendant.
• The children played with pebbles and stones, while the adults admired the towering rocks.
• The archaeologist found several ancient stones among the rocks on the hillside.
• The rocks formed the base of the mountain, while stones were scattered along the trail.

quarry - /ˈkwɒri/ - карьер

pendant - /ˈpɛnd(ə)nt/ - кулон, подвеска, брелок

scatter - /ˈskatə/ - разбрасывать

hiring, hailing

hiring - /ˈhaɪərɪŋ/

hailing - /ˈheɪlɪŋ/ 

  

• The company is hiring new staff while hailing the success of its recent project.
• I was hiring a car when I saw someone hailing a taxi on the street.
• While hiring for the new department, they were hailing the team’s hard work and dedication.
• He’s hiring a team of experts, all while hailing the benefits of the new policy.
• They were hiring new employees, hailing the diversity that each candidate brought to the table.
• I was busy hiring new staff for the office while hailing a cab to get to the meeting.
• The manager was hiring new employees, hailing them as the key to the company's success.
• She was hailing a taxi when the company sent out an email about hiring for several positions.
• I was hailing a ride while the HR department was busy hiring candidates for the open positions.
• They were hiring volunteers for the event, hailing them as heroes for their help.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Hiring: /ˈhaɪərɪŋ/ - The "i" in "hiring" is pronounced as a long "i", like "my".

    • Hailing: /ˈheɪlɪŋ/ - The "ai" in "hailing" is pronounced as a long "a", like "day".

hailing - /ˈheɪlɪŋ/ - приветствие

title, tattle

title - /ˈtaɪtl/

tattle - /ˈtætl/

   

• He couldn't decide if he should read the title of the book or tattle on his friend.
• The title of the movie was interesting, but the gossip she shared was just tattle.
• She gave me the title of the book, but I didn't need to hear the tattle about the author.
• The teacher warned the class not to tattle, but she still asked us to write the title of the lesson on the board.
• The title of the article was misleading, and I didn’t appreciate her tattle about the writer’s past.
• I couldn’t remember the title of the song, but I overheard some tattle about its meaning.
• He won the award for the best book title, but the other authors couldn’t stop the tattle about his personal life.
• She was eager to share the title of her new project, but it was just another form of tattle.
• The title of the speech was about success, but his side comments sounded more like tattle than wisdom.
• Before I could explain the title of my presentation, she started to tattle about her own experience.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Title: /ˈtaɪtl/ - The "i" is pronounced like the "i" in "kite", and the "t" is clear with the "l" at the end.

    • Tattle: /ˈtætl/ - The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat", and the "t" is clear with the "l" at the end.

The primary difference is in the vowel sound: "title" has the long "i" sound, while "tattle" has a short "a" sound.

tattle -  /ˈtætl/ -  болтовня, сплетни

party, patty

party - /ˈpɑːrti/

patty - /ˈpæti/

• We had a big party at the beach, and I made a delicious patty for everyone.
• She invited me to the party, but I had to leave early to cook some patties for dinner.
• At the party, everyone loved the patty sandwiches I brought.
• I didn’t expect the party to be so lively, especially with those delicious patties on the table.
• He made a perfect patty to serve at the party, and everyone asked for the recipe.
• The party was great, but I couldn’t stop eating those veggie patties.
• We decided to have a themed party, with hamburgers and patties as the main food.
• She wore a fancy dress to the party, but I wore a casual shirt and brought a homemade patty.
• At the party, they served burgers with a side of potato patties, which were a hit.
• I was running late for the party, so I quickly cooked a patty to bring as a snack.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Party: /ˈpɑːrti/ - The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "father", and the "y" sounds like the "ee" in "see".

    • Patty: /ˈpæti/  -  The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat", and the "y" sounds like the "ee" in "see."

party - /ˈpɑːrti/ - вечеринка; партия; группа

patty: /ˈpæti/ - пирожок, лепешечка, котлетка

lunch, launch

lunch - /lʌntʃ/

launch - /lɔːntʃ/

• We decided to have lunch before the big product launch.
• She ate lunch quickly, then headed to the office to launch the new campaign.
• They went to lunch right after the team successfully launched the website.
• The company plans to launch a new product next month, just after our lunch break.
• I had lunch at noon, and by the time I returned, the rocket launch had already taken place.
• They scheduled the launch for 1 p.m., but I had to leave for lunch at noon.
• After we finish lunch, we’ll go to the launch event downtown.
• The CEO will give a speech after lunch to mark the official launch of the program.
• We can’t start the launch until after we have lunch, so let’s make it quick.
• I was late to the lunch meeting because I had to attend the launch of the new app.

• Lunch: /lʌntʃ/ - обед, второй завтрак

 "u" в слове lunch произносится как "u" в слове "fun".

• Launch: /lɔːntʃ/ or /lɑːntʃ/ - запуск, запускать

"au" в слове launch произносится как "aw" в слове "law".

lateral, literal

lateral - /ˈlætərəl/

literal - /ˈlɪtərəl/

 

• The lateral view of the building was much more impressive than the literal one from the front.
• The literal meaning of the phrase confused him, but the lateral interpretation made more sense.
• In the literal sense, the term "lateral" refers to the side, but many people misunderstand its meaning.
• The coach emphasized lateral movement in the drill, but the literal application of the strategy was still unclear.
• She took a lateral approach to the problem, but I was focused on the literal details.
• The literal translation of the word “lateral” doesn’t capture the full context of its use.
• While the lateral line on the graph showed a steady increase, the literal numbers didn’t match up.
• The literal interpretation of the rule may seem strict, but a lateral perspective would show its flexibility.
• His lateral thinking skills are great, but he struggles with the literal aspects of the instructions.
• In the lateral move, she could change departments, but the literal position remained the same.

• Lateral - /ˈlætərəl/  - боковой

"a" произносится как "a" в слове "cat"- короткий звук /æ/, а "er" произносится как звук schwa /ə/.

• Literal - /ˈlɪtərəl/ - буквальный

"i" произносится как "i" в слове "sit" - короткий звук /ɪ/, и "er" произносится как звук schwa /ə/.

lateral - /ˈlætərəl/  - боковой

literal - /ˈlɪtərəl/ - буквальный

was, worth

was - /wəz/ 

worth - /wɜːrθ/

• It was a decision that was worth making, despite the challenges.
• He was unsure if the price was worth paying for such a rare item.
• The effort she put into the project was worth the recognition she received.
• It was a difficult choice, but in the end, it was worth the risk.
• I didn’t know if it was worth attending the meeting, but I went anyway.
• He was debating whether the investment was worth it in the long term.
• The time I spent learning was worth the knowledge I gained.
• They were wondering if the trip was worth the expense, given the weather.
• She was questioning whether the effort was worth the reward.
• It was an exhausting day, but the experience was worth it.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Was: /wəz/ or /wʌz/ - The "a" is pronounced as a schwa or short "u," like in "fun".

    • Worth: /wɜːrθ/ - The "or" is pronounced as the "er" sound, as in "bird" or "her".

hearing, herring

hearing - /ˈhɪərɪŋ/

herring - /ˈhɛrɪŋ/

• I went to the hearing, but there was a strong smell of herring in the air.
• During the hearing, they discussed the case while someone ate a herring sandwich nearby.
• He was hearing about the great deal on fish, but all I could think about was the herring I had for lunch.
• I couldn't hear clearly during the hearing because someone was talking about herring in the back row.
• At the hearing, they talked about fish, but it wasn’t about herring - just general seafood.
• While I was hearing about the new restaurant, I noticed they served herring as a specialty dish.
• She had trouble hearing over the noise of the herring vendors in the street.
• During the hearing, one witness mentioned herring as a popular local dish.
• The hearing was about seafood regulations, but the herring caught my attention more than the legal arguments.
• They were hearing evidence on the fishing practices, while a herring was served at the dinner table.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Hearing: /ˈhɪərɪŋ/ - The "ea" in "hearing" is pronounced with a short "ee" sound, as in "ear".

    • Herring: /ˈhɛrɪŋ/ - The "e" in "herring" is pronounced as a short "e," like in "bed".

peace, piece

peace - /piːs/

piece - /piːs/

• She offered me a piece of cake in exchange for peace between us.
• The peace agreement was signed after a long discussion about each piece of the terms.
• I want to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a good book, and a piece of chocolate.
• He gave me a piece of advice that brought me peace of mind.
• After the argument, she hoped to find peace by giving him a piece of her heart.
• Each piece of the puzzle brought a little more peace to the room.
• I found a piece of paper with the word "peace" written on it.
• She worked hard to make peace, but he handed her a piece of paper instead.
• The pieces of the puzzle came together, and we finally found peace.
• He handed me a piece of the map to help find peace in our journey.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Peace: /piːs/ - The "ea" makes a long "ee" sound, like in "see".

    • Piece: /piːs/ - The pronunciation is the same as "peace," but the context distinguishes them. Both words are pronounced with the same "ee" sound, but they differ in meaning.

want, won't

want - /wɔnt/

won't - /woʊnt/

• I want to go to the park, but I won’t have time today.
• She said she won’t be able to attend the meeting, even though she wants to.
• I want a cup of coffee, but I won’t drink it this late.
• He won’t listen to what I want to say about the project.
• I want to go for a walk, but I won’t if it rains.
• They want to stay home tonight, but they won’t be able to avoid the party.
• I want to eat dessert, but I won’t have any more sugar today.
• She wants to learn how to play the piano, but she won’t practice every day.
• We want to travel more, but we won’t be able to afford it this year.
• I want to help, but I won’t be able to do it alone.

Pronunciation:

    • Want: /wɔnt/ - The vowel sound is similar to the "aw" in "law". The word sounds like "wawnt."

    • Won't: /woʊnt/ - The vowel sound is more of a long "o" sound, similar to "go." The word sounds like "wohnt."

paper, pepper

paper - /ˈpeɪpər/

pepper - /ˈpɛpər/ 

• I accidentally spilled pepper on the paper while making dinner.
• She wrote the note on a piece of paper and added some pepper to her soup.
• The chef used pepper to season the dish, while I grabbed a paper towel to clean up.
• He handed me the paper with the recipe, and I accidentally knocked over the pepper shaker.
• I need some paper for my printer and pepper for my chicken recipe.
• The children used paper to create crafts, while the adults chatted about the pepper mill.
• I found a paper napkin on the table next to a pepper grinder.
• She folded the paper into a boat and sprinkled pepper on her salad.
• After reading the paper, I noticed that the pepper grinder was empty.
• I wanted to write a letter on some nice paper, but my hand kept touching the pepper shaker.

Pronunciation Differences:

    • Paper: /ˈpeɪpər/ - The first syllable "pa" sounds like "pay," with a long "a" sound. The second syllable is a soft "er" sound, like the "er" in "her."

    • Pepper: /ˈpɛpər/ - The first syllable "pep" has a short "e" sound, like in "bed", and the second syllable is the same soft "er" sound as in "paper."

cop, cup

cop - /kɑp/

cup - /kʌp/

• The cop handed me a ticket while I was holding my cup of coffee.
• I spilled my cup of tea, and the cop kindly helped me clean it up.
• The cop watched as I drank from my cup, making sure I wasn’t breaking any laws.
• She was nervous, holding her cup of soup while the cop asked questions.
• I’m going to buy a new cup from the store, but first, I need to speak with the cop.
• The cop pulled over the car while the driver sipped from his cup of water.
• I saw a cop in the park while sitting on a bench with my cup of ice cream.
• The cop stopped by the coffee shop, and I accidentally knocked over my cup.
• As the cop patrolled the street, he saw someone drop a cup of coins.
• She didn’t see the cop approaching while she was busy drinking from her cup.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Cop: /kɑp/ - refers to a police officer, or the informal term for a police officer. The "o" is pronounced like the "a" in "father."

    • Cup: /kʌp/ - refers to a small, typically round container used for drinking. 

wet, whet

wet - /wɛt/

whet - /wɛt/

• I got my shoes wet in the rain, but it did whet my appetite for a hot cup of coffee.
• The wet towel helped cool me down, and I used it to whet my curiosity about the history of the area.
• The wet ground made it hard to walk, but the delicious smell of the food outside seemed to whet my hunger.
• After I got my hands wet from washing the dishes, I had to whet my whistle with some cold water.
• The rain left everything wet, but the intriguing book I found outside only whet my interest in reading more.
• I accidentally got the paper wet, and it did nothing to whet my desire to continue working on it.
• The wet dog shook off its fur, while the spicy food served at dinner really helped to whet my appetite.
• The wet paint on the walls left a strong smell, but a good story was enough to whet my imagination.
• His wet clothes made him uncomfortable, but the adventure he was about to undertake began to whet his excitement.
• The wet morning fog lingered around, while the idea of the upcoming trip did little to whet my enthusiasm.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Wet: /wɛt/ - refers to something that is covered with, or saturated in, liquid.

    • Whet: /wɛt/ - refers to the act of sharpening or stimulating, usually used with appetites, curiosity, or desires (e.g., "whet your appetite").

Both words are pronounced the same, but wet refers to moisture, while whet refers to stimulating or sharpening something, like an appetite or interest.

whet - /wɛt/ - точить; возбудить, разжигать; стимул; возбуждать, обострять, острить, стимулировать желание; править

linger - /ˈlɪŋɡə/ - задерживаться

rite, write, right

rite - /raɪt/

write - /raɪt/

right - /raɪt/

• The rite of passage involves learning to write, and it is important to get the right guidance.
• In order to write a letter, you must first decide if it's the right time to send it, as it's part of an important rite of communication.
• After the rite of graduation, I had to write a thank-you letter to my teacher to express that I was on the right path.
• He performed the sacred rite and then went home to write a detailed account of the experience, making sure he got the facts right.
• The rite of a traditional wedding ceremony requires vows, while I had to write the speech to make sure I said the right things.
• It is important to write a thank-you note after attending a rite, so you can show your appreciation in the right way.
• I want to make sure I write the right answer on the test, especially after attending the rite of learning this material.
• During the rite of passage, the elder told us how to write our names in the right way according to tradition.
• The students will write about their experiences at the rite of passage ceremony to reflect on what is right for their future.
• After the rite of initiation, you need to write down your thoughts, ensuring they are right for the ceremony’s purpose.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Rite: /raɪt/ - refers to a religious or ceremonial act or procedure.

    • Write: /raɪt/ - refers to the act of composing text, such as writing a letter or a book.

    • Right: /raɪt/ - refers to something correct, just, or morally good. It can also refer to direction (e.g., right turn).

rite -  /raɪt/ - обряд, ритуал, церемония

downtown, uptown

downtown - /ˈdaʊnˌtaʊn/

uptown - /ˈʌpˌtaʊn/

•  She prefers to live downtown because it's closer to work, while her friend enjoys the quieter atmosphere uptown.
• We decided to go downtown for lunch, but later we will head uptown to check out the new art gallery.
• The downtown area is always busy, but uptown offers a more relaxed and suburban vibe.
• I need to pick up some groceries downtown, but I’m meeting friends uptown for dinner later.
• The traffic downtown is usually heavy, but it's much lighter uptown during rush hour.
• We visited downtown for the music festival, then took the subway uptown to see the Broadway show.
• They live in a small apartment downtown, but they dream of moving to a larger house uptown.
• She works downtown but loves to spend her weekends uptown in the park.
• The new office building is downtown, but the luxurious apartments are located uptown.
• I enjoy shopping downtown, while my brother prefers the upscale stores uptown.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Downtown: /ˈdaʊnˌtaʊn/ - refers to the central or business district of a city, typically characterized by high traffic and commercial activity.

    • Uptown: /ˈʌpˌtaʊn/ — refers to the northern or more residential area of a city, often associated with quieter neighborhoods or more upscale living.

These two words are commonly used in American cities to distinguish different areas, with downtown often being the busier part and uptown referring to a quieter or more affluent area. While both share a similar "town" suffix, their pronunciation differs slightly, particularly in the first syllable, with downtown having the "ow" sound (as in "how") and uptown having the "ʌ" sound (as in "cup").

early, yearly

early - /ˈɜːr.li/

yearly - /ˈjɪr.li/

• I like to wake up early every morning, but I only go on a yearly vacation.
• He arrived early at the event to avoid the crowd, but the event happens yearly.
• The early morning fog makes it hard to drive, but we experience it only on a yearly basis.
• She prefers to complete her work early in the day, and she attends a yearly conference for her job.
• I plan to leave early for the airport so I won’t miss my flight, but the conference is held yearly.
• The early spring flowers bloom beautifully, but the festival celebrating them is a yearly tradition.
• I had to leave early for my meeting, and I also have a yearly appointment with my dentist.
• The early bird catches the worm, but the birdwatching tour happens only on a yearly schedule.
• He sent his application early, as the conference only happens yearly, and he didn’t want to miss it.
• We decided to start the project early this year, but we will review its progress at our yearly meeting.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Early: /ˈɜːr.li/ - refers to something happening before the expected time (e.g., "I arrived early").

    • Yearly: /ˈjɪr.li/ - refers to something occurring once a year (e.g., "We have a yearly celebration").

In these sentences, early and yearly have similar spellings and share the "ly" suffix, but they differ in pronunciation. Early has a "ɜː" sound (like in "her"), while yearly has the "ɪ" sound (like in "sit").

both, booth

both - /boʊθ/

booth - /buːθ/

• Both of us wanted to sit in the booth by the window, but it was already taken.
• I was surprised to find both the booth and the table available at the same time.
• The booth at the fair was busy, but both of us managed to grab some free samples.
• Both the booth and the restaurant had a great view of the beach, so we couldn’t decide.
• We should both go to the booth to check out the new gadgets, but I’m not sure if we have time.
• Both of the booths were decorated in a similar style, but one was more crowded than the other.
• The booth was so small that both of us had trouble fitting in at once.
• Both the booth and the stage are part of the same event, but they offer different experiences.
• I think both of us would prefer sitting in a booth, but I’m not sure if they have one available.
• They both entered the booth to place their orders, each unsure of what to choose.

Pronunciation and Meanings:

    • Both: /boʊθ/ - refers to two items or people together.

    • Booth: /buːθ/ - a small enclosed space, often for selling or presenting something.

booth - /buːθ/ - киоск, будка, кабинка

boil, broil

boil - /bɔɪl/

broil - /brɔɪl/ 

• I like to boil vegetables but prefer to broil my chicken for a crispier texture.
• She decided to boil some pasta for dinner, while he wanted to broil some fish.
• If you want to boil the potatoes quickly, you should use hot water, but to broil them, put them under the oven's heating element.
• The recipe suggests you should first boil the corn on the cob and then broil it with butter for extra flavor.
• While I prefer to boil eggs for breakfast, my brother likes to broil them in the oven.
• I accidentally turned the burner too high and started to boil the soup, but then I realized I needed to broil the garlic bread.
• They decided to boil the lobsters for the soup and broil the shrimp for a side dish.
• You can boil the potatoes to soften them, but if you want a crispy crust, broil them for a few minutes.
• We need to boil the water to make tea, but we should broil the steak for dinner.
• The chef explained that you can boil the soup ingredients together but broil the meat separately for a more intense flavor.

Pronunciation and Meaning:

    • Boil: /bɔɪl/ - to heat a liquid to the point where it starts to bubble and turn into steam (e.g., boil water).

    • Broil: /brɔɪl/ - to cook food directly under high heat, typically in an oven or on a grill (e.g., broil meat).

broil - /brɔɪl/  - готовить на открытом огне, жарить при высокой температуре

cob - /kɒb/ - початок

ball, bowl

ball - /bɔːl/

bowl - /boʊl/

• I couldn't decide whether to play with the ball or use the bowl for the game.
• She threw the ball across the yard and then placed it in the bowl for her dog.
• At the party, they had a ball playing games, but I had to leave when they started the bowl competition.
• He kicked the ball into the corner while I set the bowl of popcorn on the table.
• The cat was chasing the ball around the living room, but it stopped when it knocked over the bowl.
• We played football with a ball, then used a bowl to serve drinks afterward.
• The dog loves to chase a ball, but it also enjoys rolling around in its food bowl.
• I was trying to balance the ball on the bowl, but it kept rolling off.
• They decided to play catch with the ball, but someone accidentally dropped it into the bowl of water.
• He placed the ball on the floor near the bowl, hoping the dog would notice both.

Pronunciation:

    • Ball: /bɔːl/ - a spherical object used in games or sports.

    • Bowl: /boʊl/ - a round, typically deep dish used for holding food or liquids.

blend, bland, blind

blend - /blɛnd/

bland - /blænd/

blind - /blaɪnd/

• To make the dish less bland, you should blend in some spices, but don’t go in blind without tasting it.
• The blind man asked if the soup tasted bland because he couldn’t blend the ingredients himself.
• She said the decor was a blend of vibrant colors, but the furniture looked bland and almost blind to creativity.
• If you blindly follow the recipe, the flavors might blend poorly and end up bland.
• The smoothie had a perfect blend of fruits, while the other drink was bland and left the blind taste tester unimpressed.
• He tried to blend into the background during the bland presentation, feeling like a blind observer.
• The blind artist created a stunning blend of colors that was anything but bland.
• Don’t let a bland critique blind you to the beautiful blend of ideas in your work.
• The coffee had a blend of robust flavors, but the bland toast was a blind spot in the meal.
• Even the blind critic could sense that the blend of spices was superior to the bland seasoning of the competitor.

Pronunciation:

    • Blend: /blɛnd/ - to mix things together.

    • Bland: /blænd/ - lacking strong flavor or interest.

    • Blind: /blaɪnd/ - unable to see.

bunch, bench

bunch - /bʌntʃ/

bench - /bɛntʃ/

• A bunch of people sat on the bench by the park, enjoying the sunny day.
• I saw a bunch of kids running around the bench in the playground.
• He placed a bunch of books on the bench before sitting down to relax.
• She left a bunch of flowers on the bench in front of the church.
• The coach asked the players on the bench to cheer for the team after a tough game.
• A bunch of old magazines were stacked neatly on the bench in the waiting room.
• They put a bunch of groceries on the bench while they prepared dinner.
• A bunch of tourists sat on the bench, taking photos of the famous landmark.
• After the hike, we rested on a bench with a bunch of snacks to enjoy.
• He gathered a bunch of leaves and placed them on the bench to admire their colors.

Pronunciation:

    • Bunch: /bʌntʃ/ - a group or collection of things that are tied or gathered together (e.g., a bunch of grapes).

    • Bench: /bɛntʃ/ - a long seat for multiple people, often found in public spaces, parks, or courts.

bunch, branch

bunch - /bʌntʃ/

branch - /bræntʃ/

• She picked a bunch of flowers from the branch of the tree.
• There’s a bunch of grapes on the branch, just waiting to be picked.
• I noticed a branch falling from the tree, and it almost hit a bunch of kids playing nearby.
• The branch of the tree stretched over the fence, and I could see a bunch of birds nesting there.
• We found a bunch of leaves under the branch, all scattered across the ground.
• A bunch of people were standing by the tree, admiring the branch that had the best view.
• The branch of the river curved around the bend, while we saw a bunch of ducks swimming nearby.
• I grabbed a bunch of bananas from the branch of the tree, and we ate them together.
• The squirrel jumped from one branch to another, carrying a bunch of nuts in its mouth.
• There was a bunch of branches piled up near the house after the storm.

Pronunciation

    • Bunch: /bʌntʃ/ - a group of things that are tied or held together (e.g., a bunch of bananas).

    • Branch: /bræntʃ/ - a part of a tree that grows out from the main stem or trunk, or a division of a company or organization.

need, knead

need - /niːd/

knead - /niːd/

    

• If you need bread for dinner, you’ll have to knead the dough first.
• Do you need me to knead the dough while you prepare the sauce?
• She said, “I need to knead this mixture until it’s smooth.”
• You don’t need a machine to knead the dough; your hands will work fine.
• I need some advice on how to knead properly for soft bread.
• Do you need help to knead the dough evenly?
• All you need to make pizza is to knead the dough and add toppings.
• If you need perfect results, knead the dough for at least 10 minutes.
• They need to knead the clay before it can be shaped into pottery.
• You need patience to knead dough until it becomes stretchy and smooth.

Pronunciation:

    • Need: /niːd/ - to require something.

    • Knead: /niːd/ - to work dough or clay with the hands.

knead - /niːd/ - месить, замесить