• Flat (smooth and even) – Adjective

• Flat (an apartment) – Noun

(Note: While "flat" as an apartment is more common in British English, it is included here for educational purposes alongside its American equivalent, "apartment.")

Pronunciation

These words are homonyms, meaning they are spelled the same, sound the same, but have different meanings.

• Flat (Adjective): Pronounced /flæt/ (FLAT) — Smooth and even.

• Flat (Noun): Pronounced /flæt/ (FLAT) — An apartment.

Listen to the audio. They sound the same.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "flat" in context.
Can you tell which “flat” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. The surface of the table is completely flat.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

2. She rented a flat in the city center.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

3. The tire is flat and needs to be repaired.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

4. He lives in a cozy flat near the park.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

5. The road ahead looks perfectly flat.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

6. The family moved into a spacious flat last week.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

7. The cake didn’t rise and stayed completely flat.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

8. His flat has three bedrooms and a balcony.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

9. The painting should be hung on a flat surface.
   a. Smooth and even
   b. An apartment

10. I saw a beautiful view from the top-floor flat.
    a. Smooth and even
    b. An apartment

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Flat (smooth and even)

1. The surface of the table is perfectly flat. (Stress flat to highlight the smoothness.)

2. The tire is completely flat and needs air. (Emphasize completely to show severity.)

3. The landscape ahead is so flat and boring. (Highlight flat to describe the terrain.)

Flat (an apartment)

1. She lives in a beautiful flat near the city center. (Stress flat to focus on the dwelling.)

2. His flat is spacious and has a great view. (Emphasize spacious to show its size.)

3. They moved into a small flat last month. (Highlight small to describe its size.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking. Create your own sentences with the following words and phrases.

Flat (smooth and even):

1. Flat surface: Highlights smoothness.

   • Tip: Stress surface to focus on the object being described.

   • Sentence: The flat surface was perfect for writing.

2. Completely flat: Emphasizes the lack of height or unevenness.

   • Tip: Highlight completely to show an extreme condition.

   • Sentence: The tire was completely flat after hitting a nail.

3. Flat landscape: Describes a terrain without variation.

   • Tip: Emphasize flat to show the lack of elevation.

   • Sentence: The flat landscape stretched for miles.

Flat (an apartment):

1. City flat: Refers to a flat located in an urban area.

   • Tip: Stress city to focus on its location.

   • Sentence: She rented a cozy city flat close to her office.

2. Spacious flat: Highlights the size of the apartment.

   • Tip: Emphasize spacious to focus on its roominess.

   • Sentence: The spacious flat was ideal for a large family.

3. Small flat: Describes the apartment’s compactness.

   • Tip: Highlight small to set the size context.

   • Sentence: The couple moved into a small flat in the suburbs.

Things to Remember:

The word "flat" is used in different contexts:

• Flat (smooth and even): Works with descriptive words like "surface," "completely flat," or "flat landscape."

  • Example: The road ahead looks flat and easy to walk on.

• Flat (an apartment): Often paired with descriptors like "city flat," "spacious flat," or "small flat."

  • Example: The flat she rented has two bedrooms and a balcony.

Note: In the US we refer to flats as apartments. They are listed in the directory as an available Unit or an available Apartment. See Type of Housing.