Try some of these strategies:

• Guess.
• Check a dictionary.
• Read aloud.
• Check for more than one meaning.
• Check for words with similar meanings.
• Practice writing the word.
• Use a trick to help you remember.
• Keep a list.
• Practice writing and speaking new words.

When basic strategies do not help you discover the meaning of a new word or phrase, as with idioms or homonyms, the best strategy is to consult a good dictionary. Some common homonyms and idioms are presented here.

Homonyms and Idioms

Homonyms and idioms can be confusing. The words “two”, “to”, and “too” sound the same, but they have different spellings, meanings, and uses. The word “two” refers to the number 2. The word “to” is used as a preposition, and the word “too” is used to replace the word also. These words are called homonyms. Dictionaries may list homonyms for words that are frequently confused.

Idioms are phrases. They have specific meanings that are often different from the meanings of the individual words. For example, the idiom “a chip off the old block” means that a child is similar to his or her parent. It has nothing to do with a piece of a wood block. Looking in the dictionary is the best way to discover their meaning.