Commonly Confused Words
"The Story of Hom and Nym"
Set to the backdrop of a classic sibling rivalry tale, learn the differences between commonly confused words, or homonyms. Those with siblings can surely relate to the story of Hom and Nym. Here are two brothers that are polar opposites, yet together they manage to teach us the differences between many commonly confused words. For example, do you know when to use “then” and when to use “than”? What about “they’re, their and there”?
I hope you're all ready for a story, but the truth is it already began. This story takes place long ago in the past. But if you look past that fact, you'll see it has a lot to do with today.
It's the story of two brothers: Hom and Nym. Hom was strong and almost too handsome. Nym was small and had devoted his whole life to writing poems. He'd sit under a tree without moving, completely stationary, and write love poems on beautiful stationery. Nym liked looking into the distance and sighing.
Hom, meanwhile, would be out wrestling bears with his bare hands. He liked high-fives and was proud of how accurately he could spit. One day, he had his customary breakfast of steak and pancakes, and then he saw her. She was more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen. He could hardly breathe. She took his breath away. He couldn't even find the words to ask her name. Thankfully, she was wearing a name tag. Sondra.
Weeks passed and Hom still didn't have the guts to talk to Sondra. In principle, Hom knew it was important to be confident. But Sondra looked really well put together, like a middle school principal or something. Hom was so scared of her, he went to his brother for help.
He found Nym under a tree, smiling at a chipmunk.
HOM:
"Nym, I need your help."
NYM:
“You never visit me. What brought or led you here?"
HOM:
"I feel like my brain is full of lead. I can't think. I'm obsessed with a lady named Sondra."
NYM:
"Oh I know Sondra. She and her friends are into Live Action Role Playing. They're really into dressing up in their wizard costumes over there by the river."
HOM:
"That's her, Nym. It's like I've got a screw loose. I'm scared to lose her. Please help me."
NYM:
"Why don't you read her a poem? I'll write one for you."
Later that day Hom approached Sondra. He cleared his throat and read, for the first time, the poem his brother had given him.
HOM:
"To whom it may concern: I am a man who fights the bears,
I once threw a bear through the air,
So if you are a lady who,
Can bear a bear fighter, I'm for you,
If instead you want another,
You should probably date my brother.... hey what the heck!"
This really affected Sondra all right. But it didn't have the effect he was hoping for. Hom realized that instead of doing it live, he probably should have rehearsed. Sondra started dating Nym, and he really came out of his shell. They lived their lives happily ever after.
The students were sitting on the floor because they were all ready for the teacher to begin reading.
I already ate lunch, so I wasn’t hungry when we went out to eat.
My parents met in the past and are still together many years later.
I ran past Joey to win the race.
The car passed another car on the highway because it was going faster.
The two dogs spent all their time together.
The wind was too strong; it almost blew my house over.
We drove over to grandma and grandpa's house.
If you are stationary, you can't or won't move; however, if you want to write someone a thank you note, use stationery.
My mom instructed me to remain completely stationary so that the bee buzzing around us wouldn't sting us.
After my birthday I wrote many thank you notes using my new stationery.
A bear is a big animal that you shouldn't try to pet, but bare means naked or uncovered.
The big bear lived in the woods.
The table was bare so I got a table cloth to cover it before we ate.
When you are driving to my house, be sure to remember to turn right and then left.
I would rather play with my friends than do my homework.
It is important to remember to breathe when you are running, or you might collapse.
The air was so cold outside that it took my breath away.
A principle is a rule, belief or idea that guides you. In contrast, a principal is the leader of a school. PRO TIP: A good way to remember the difference in spelling is "The principal is your pal!"
The Confucian philosopher had many strong principles.
The principal congratulated students for making high honor roll.
If you led someone, you showed them the way, but lead is a metallic element.
I led the horse to water, but I couldn't make it drink.
The toy soldiers were made of lead.
They're coming together to the party.
The kids didn't know where their toys were.
My car is over there, on the other side of the parking lot.
The lid on the jar was very loose, and I was able to remove it with no trouble.
Be careful not to lose your umbrella, it is supposed to rain today.
My brother and I threw the baseball back and forth.
When I was through with my dinner I cleared my plate and glass.
To bear (verb) means to put up with something or someone; however, a bear (noun) is a big furry animal that you don't want to mess with.How can you bear that guy? He is so obnoxious!
The bear ate fish and berries for his dinner.
My teacher affected me; she made me want to become a teacher too.
The effect of the earthquake was that all our houses lost power.
I got tickets to a live comedy performance, and my seats were so close I could almost touch the comedian.
We lived in Alabama for awhile, but then we moved away.
Our lives: were very fulfilled, we had great jobs, hobbies and friends.
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