Today we have a bunch of “B” words for you. This is by no means the full list of “B” homonyms, nor the complete list of confounding English terms beginning with the second letter in our alphabet. As with the other A through Z terms, these are from grammarbook.com, with examples here and there from the Editrix.
| ball | a sphere |
| bawl | to cry or wail loudly |
| base | the bottom; vulgar; headquarters (singular)
Example: Our home base was at the base of the mountain, where Captain Jack often used base language when referring to his girlfriends. |
| bass | low vocal or instrumental range (pronounced like lace); a type of fish (pronounced like lass)
Example: When Gunther plays his bass guitar, the bass swim to the surface of the lake, mesmerized by his playing. |
| because vs. since | Rule. Because and since can be used almost interchangeably although because always indicates cause and effect and since is used for a relationship or time.
Example: Since I have a gift card, I will pay for dinner. (not cause and effect) Example: I’m going to the circus because my daughter is the trapeze artist. (cause and effect) Example: I have wanted a llama since I learned how to spin my own yarn. (time) |
| biannual | twice a year |
| biennial | every two years |
| semiannual | twice a year (same as biannual) |
| boarder | someone who pays for room and food |
| border | perimeter; boundary |
| brake | stop |
| break | separate into pieces |
| brewed | fermented |
| brood (verb, noun) | mull over; a cluster or family |
| bridal | relating to brides |
| bridle | a harness, usually for a horse
Example: After trying on so many tight bridal dresses I felt like I was wearing a bridle; and then the neighing and counting with my foot started. |
| bring | you bring something towards
Example: “Seabiscuit, please bring that carrot to me.” |
| take | you take something away
Example: I will take Isabel’s bottle from her if she continues to misbehave. |
| buy | purchase, acquire |
| by | near, next to |
| bye | short for goodbye |
Photo from http://weddingengagementnoise.com/tag/brides-on-horses/
Kara Church
Senior Technical Editor
Leave a Reply