• Produce (to create or make something) – Verb

• Produce (fruits and vegetables) – Noun

Pronunciation

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

• Produce (Verb): Pronounced /prəˈduːs/ (pruh-DOOS) — To create.

• Produce (Noun): Pronounced /ˈproʊduːs/ (PROH-doos) — Fruits and vegetables.

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

Example Sentences

1. The factory will produce 1,000 cars this year.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

2. The farmer sells fresh produce at the local market.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

3. This machine can produce high-quality paper products.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

4. The produce section of the grocery store is well-stocked.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

5. The company aims to produce more eco-friendly products.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

6. She picked up organic produce for tonight’s dinner.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

7. The team worked together to produce an excellent presentation.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

8. The bright colors of the produce attracted many customers.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

9. They need to produce results quickly to meet their deadline.
   a. To create or make something
   b. Fruits and vegetables

10. He loves to shop for fresh produce at the farmer’s market.
    a. To create or make something
    b. Fruits and vegetables

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.

Produce (to create or make something)

1. The factory will produce more goods this year. (Stress produce to emphasize the creation process.)

2. We need to produce better results to succeed. (Highlight produce to focus on the expected outcome.)

3. The team worked hard to produce the new design. (Emphasize produce to show the effort involved.)

Produce (fruits and vegetables)

1. The store’s produce section is full of fresh items. (Stress produce to highlight the food category.)

2. She bought organic produce from the local market. (Highlight produce to emphasize the type of goods.)

3. The produce was displayed beautifully in baskets. (Emphasize produce to show what is being sold.)

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.

Produce (to create or make something):

1. Produce quickly: Focuses on speed of creation.

   • Tip: Highlight quickly to show urgency.

   • Sentence: They need to produce quickly to meet the deadline.

2. Produce results: Emphasizes the outcome of efforts.

   • Tip: Stress results to show the importance of success.

   • Sentence: The team worked hard to produce results that impressed their boss.

3. Produce an idea: Refers to creating a concept or thought.

   • Tip: Highlight idea to focus on creativity.

   • Sentence: He was able to produce an idea that solved the problem.

Produce (fruits and vegetables):

1. Fresh produce: Refers to high-quality fruits and vegetables.

   • Tip: Emphasize fresh to highlight the quality.

   • Sentence: The farmer’s market is known for its fresh produce.

2. Local produce: Focuses on food grown nearby.

   • Tip: Highlight local to show where it comes from.

   • Sentence: She always buys local produce to support small farmers.

3. Organic produce: Describes food grown without chemicals.

   • Tip: Stress organic to emphasize its health benefits.

   • Sentence: Many people prefer organic produce for its natural quality.

Things to Remember:

The word "produce" is used in different contexts:

• Produce (to create or make something): Often paired with phrases like "produce quickly," "produce results," or "produce an idea."

  • Example: The factory plans to produce more goods this year.

• Produce (fruits and vegetables): Commonly paired with "fresh produce," "local produce," or "organic produce."

  • Example: She loves buying fresh produce from the market.