Which Witch Is Deciding Whether The Weather is Coming From Over There, Their or They’re?

The English language really isn’t simple at all. It’s no wonder people have a need for a copywriter.  

Of course, a copywriter does so much more than just ensuring that correct grammar and the right words are used - it’s all about the style of the words and the tone of voice - but still, it’s always useful to know you’re making sense right? 

When I was learning German, Spanish and Italian at school, we all used to complain about the complicated nature of foreign languages: how words had genders; why certain verbs were irregular; and why there were multiple different types of the past tense. And don’t even get me started on the imperfect conditional!

But we take for granted that we are natural born English speakers. We giggle when foreign people pronounce something funny, say a sentence in the wrong order, or choose a completely inappropriate word. (Not like we could speak even 5% of their language). 

You can see from the title of this blog how confusing English can be for a speaker. The same sounding words, but each with a completely different meaning. If you don’t know the difference between some of them…were you asleep in your high school English lessons?…drop me an email and I’ll try not judge you too harshly. (I’m kidding..kind of. I’d rather explain to you than you live in ignorance, even if that does reduce the amount of work I get as a copywriter - spread the love and all that).  

Anyway, the words in the title are spelt differently at least. But what about the same word, written exactly the same? Check out these examples from a blog post on Tickld: 

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture..

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert..

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear..

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Confusing isn’t it!?  

Do give the rest of the blog a read for some interesting paradoxes in the English language too.

Just one other reason why you need a copywriter. 

Some rules are made to be broken. Others just aren’t. Sometimes, for the sake of style, I believe a copywriter can tweak certain rules to give a unique tone of voice. But most grammar rules, they’re there for a reason.  

This all reminds of a book by Bill Byrson. Mother Tongue. If you like anything to do with words, etymology, or grammar, then it’s definitely worth a read.  

Just like computer programmers love certain codes, and maths students get excited over spreadsheets, for us copywriters, it’s all about the words.