Probably you are in the search of finding new horizons in the vast sphere of English grammar. You may try a lot in the realms of it but at every moment the thing that would pain you is your incompetence that you know a little. It is actually so. If you want to grasp English grammar you must have many things at your finger tips. If you fail to grasp them your aim to be a good English writer would remain nothing but a shattered dream.
There are many things you have to know about English grammar. If you are an ESL you have to know more. There are so many rules in the vast realm of English grammar that it is quite impossible for a human being to grasp all at a time. But you have to know at least some basic rules without which you are nothing but a lay man. All your attempts to become a good writer would end in empty vaunt.
Now we are going to discuss on such a topic that is very important when you are trying to be a good writer. The topic is all about ‘homonyms’ the meaning of which is the words that are similar in sound but different in meaning. As writer you have to know the exact word. If you can not coin the right word you would lag behind others.
If you take the words ‘foreword’ and forward’ to extract the meanings of the two you would be amazed to find the gulf of difference.
Foreward:
It is a word that means the initial word or we may say that it means the word that is used first. We know for certain that the prefix ‘fore’ denotes before. If we take the word ‘foreword’ we may easily say the word means something that is told before. For example we can say-
In the ‘foreword’ of the book the author exposes himself.
Forward:
Now take the word. The word can be an adjective or an adverb.
“Some men a forward motion love”
In the sentence the word ‘forward’ is used as the qualifier of the word ‘motion’ that is a noun.
Now watch this sentence.
He sent ‘forward’ with the message.
In this sentence the word ‘forward’ is used as the modifier of the verb ‘sent’. Hence we may easily say that this is a specific example of adverb.
Watch this pair of words, ‘principal’ and ‘principle’. Though the words echo each other there is gulf of difference between the two.
‘Principal’ means the head of an institution. It is a noun. Principal may be used as an adjective too.
In the instance
Our principal goal is to attend the function.
‘Principal’ is used as an adjective qualifying the noun ‘goal’.
‘Principle’ means ‘fundamental doctrine’
” I have loved the principle of beauty in all things”.
In this sentence ‘principle’ is a noun.
How can we use the words ‘effect’ and ‘affect’?
The effect of over exercise is bad.
In this sentence ‘effect’ is used as a noun that means ‘result’.
But in the sentence-
Over exercise affects our health
‘Affect’ is used as a verb