Same spelling, different pronunciation
Some spellings have different pronunciations for different meanings or grammatical uses. A sentence supplies information that an isolated word cannot.
Use the pattern in context
Read can be present /riːd/ or past /rɛd/. Record commonly changes stress between a noun and a verb in General American: a record versus record a message. Learn the meaning, role and transcription together. The IPA lookup shows labelled alternatives for selected homographs; it does not silently choose a universal pronunciation for arbitrary sentences.
Examples to compare
- Present: I read every evening.
- Past: I read the report yesterday.
- Roles: Keep a record; record a message.
Limits and useful distinctions
Stress patterns have exceptions and vary with dialect and emphasis. Not every noun/verb pair changes stress, and a spelling-only tool cannot always resolve the intended sense. When alternatives appear, use the sentence context and a suitable dictionary entry rather than assuming the first reading is correct.
Check your understanding
Why can a lookup show two readings for read?
Reveal the answer and reason
Its present and past forms share a spelling but differ in pronunciation.
The surrounding sentence identifies the tense and intended reading. Read the guide
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