Live vs Live

• Live (to exist) – Verb

• Live (broadcast in real-time) – Adjective

Pronunciation

These words are heteronyms, meaning they are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings.

• Live (Verb): Pronounced /lɪv/ (LIV) — To exist.

• Live (Adjective): Pronounced /laɪv/ (LYVE) — Broadcast in real-time.

Listen to the audio. Notice how the pronunciation changes based on the meaning.

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 "live" in context.
Can you tell which “live” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. They want to live in a house by the sea.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

2. The concert was streamed live on the internet.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

3. People often ask how long turtles can live.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

4. The reporter was live at the scene of the accident.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

5. She moved to the countryside to live a peaceful life.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

6. The live performance captivated the audience.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

7. He said he couldn’t live without music.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

8. The show was broadcast live from New York City.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

9. They hope to live happily in their new home.
   a. To exist
   b. Broadcast in real-time

10. The live interview drew millions of viewers.
    a. To exist
    b. Broadcast in real-time

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.

Live (to exist)

1. She wants to live in the city near her friends. (Stress live to emphasize her desire.)

2. Animals cannot live without water. (Highlight live to show necessity.)

3. To live peacefully, we must respect each other. (Emphasize live to focus on the goal.)

Live (broadcast in real-time)

1. The event will be broadcast live tomorrow night. (Stress live to highlight immediacy.)

2. The live concert had an incredible atmosphere. (Emphasize live to show it’s happening in real-time.)

3. He enjoyed watching the game live instead of recorded. (Highlight live to contrast the experience.)

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.

Live (to exist):

1. Live peacefully: Suggests a calm and harmonious life.

   • Tip: Highlight peacefully to set the tone.

   • Sentence: She hopes to live peacefully in the countryside.

2. Live happily: Refers to a joyful existence.

   • Tip: Stress happily to focus on the positive state.

   • Sentence: They plan to live happily in their dream home.

3. Live without: Focuses on the absence of something.

   • Tip: Emphasize without to show difficulty.

   • Sentence: He said he couldn’t live without his family.

Live (broadcast in real-time):

1. Live broadcast: Indicates something happening in real-time.

   • Tip: Stress live to emphasize immediacy.

   • Sentence: The live broadcast kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

2. Live performance: Refers to an in-person event.

   • Tip: Highlight performance to show the event.

   • Sentence: The singer’s live performance was unforgettable.

3. Live from: Specifies a location for a real-time event.

   • Tip: Emphasize from to show where it’s happening.

   • Sentence: The reporter went live from the stadium.

Things to Remember:

The word "live" is used in different contexts:

• Live (to exist): Works with phrases like "live peacefully," "live happily," or "live without."

  • Example: She hopes to live peacefully near the beach.

• Live (broadcast in real-time): Often paired with "live broadcast," "live performance," or "live from."

  • Example: The live broadcast covered the entire event.