The son looked up to the setting sun. He was a knight who didn’t fear the night. He was the one who won the battle. Now he needed a break so he put on the brake.

As a non-native speaker, the English language continues to puzzle and amaze me—even after years of learning and studying. English is a non-phonetic language meaning that not every word is pronounced the way it’s written. Complex and often unpredictable spelling rules mean that some words sound the same way when spoken even though they are spelled differently and have very different meanings. Such similar-sounding words are also referred to as “homophones.” Common examples include:

The Surprising Power of Homophones

Homophones are a fun little quirk of the English language, which can be used to enhance creative wordplays, rhyming poetry, and humorous puns. I particularly enjoy the following examples.

Little learners and non-native English students may struggle with the inconsistent spelling, but the added effort could have benefits for their learning and growth. Similar-sounding words may stimulate cognitive flexibility and encourage more contextual........

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