Nail vs Nail

• Nail (a thin, pointed metal fastener) – Noun

• Nail (the hard covering on the end of fingers and toes) – Noun

Pronunciation

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

• Nail (Noun): Pronounced /neɪl/ (NAYL) — A thin, pointed piece of metal.

• Nail (Noun): Pronounced /neɪl/ (NAYL) — Part of the body.

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

Example Sentences

1. He hammered a nail into the wall to hang a picture.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

2. She painted her nail with a bright red polish.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

3. The carpenter used a nail to secure the wooden boards.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

4. She broke a nail while opening the box.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

5. He accidentally stepped on a rusty nail.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

6. The salon offers different designs for nail art.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

7. Make sure the nail is straight before you hammer it in.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

8. She filed her nail to make it smooth.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

9. The toolbox contains screws, nails, and other fasteners.
   a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
   b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

10. He trimmed his nail because it had grown too long.
    a. A thin, pointed metal fastener
    b. The hard covering on the end of fingers and toes

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.

Nail (a thin, pointed metal fastener)

1. The carpenter hammered the nail into the wood. (Stress nail to emphasize the fastener.)

2. Be careful not to bend the nail while hammering it. (Highlight nail to focus on the object.)

3. He stepped on a sharp nail and had to see a doctor. (Emphasize nail to show the danger.)

Nail (the hard covering on the end of fingers and toes)

1. She carefully painted each nail with a new design. (Stress nail to highlight the body part.)

2. The salon offers services like nail art and manicures. (Highlight nail to focus on beauty care.)

3. Her nail broke while trying to open the lid. (Emphasize nail to indicate the damage.)

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.

Nail (a thin, pointed metal fastener):

• Hammer a nail: Refers to the action of securing something.

  • Tip: Highlight hammer to show the task being done.

  • Sentence: He used a hammer to hammer a nail into the wall.

• Rusty nail: Suggests danger or potential injury.

  • Tip: Stress rusty to emphasize the condition of the nail.

  • Sentence: Be careful of the rusty nail lying on the ground.

• Straight nail: Refers to proper alignment.

  • Tip: Highlight straight to show the importance of precision.

  • Sentence: Make sure to use a straight nail for better support.

Nail (the hard covering on the end of fingers and toes):

• Broken nail: Refers to damage or inconvenience.

  • Tip: Stress broken to highlight the issue.

  • Sentence: She was upset about her broken nail right before the event.

• Nail polish: Refers to decorative paint for nails.

  • Tip: Highlight polish to focus on the beauty product.

  • Sentence: The new nail polish collection features bright colors.

• Trim your nails: Refers to grooming and hygiene.

  • Tip: Stress trim to indicate the action.

  • Sentence: It’s important to trim your nails regularly to keep them neat.

Things to Remember:

The word "nail" is used in different contexts:

• Nail (a thin, pointed metal fastener): Often paired with phrases like "hammer a nail," "rusty nail," or "straight nail."

  • Example: He accidentally stepped on a rusty nail in the garage.

• Nail (the hard covering on the end of fingers and toes): Commonly used with "broken nail," "nail polish," or "trim your nails."

  • Example: She painted her nails with a bright red polish.