Right vs Right

• Right (correct) – Adjective

• Right (direction) – Noun/Adjective

Pronunciation

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

• Right (Adjective): Pronounced /raɪt/ (RYT) — Correct.

• Right (Noun): Pronounced /raɪt/ (RYT) — Direction.

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

Example Sentences

1. She gave the right answer to the question.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

2. Turn right at the next intersection.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

3. It is important to do the right thing.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

4. Take a right and then go straight for two blocks.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

5. You are absolutely right about the new policy.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

6. The bakery is just on the right side of the street.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

7. He wants to make the right decision for his family.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

8. The store is on the right as you leave the parking lot.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

9. You were right when you said it would rain today.
   a. Correct
   b. Direction

10. Please take a right turn after the traffic light.
    a. Correct
    b. Direction

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.

Right (correct)

1. You are absolutely right about this. (Stress right to emphasize agreement.)

2. It’s important to make the right choice in difficult situations. (Highlight right to focus on correctness.)

3. She gave the right response during the quiz. (Emphasize right to show accuracy.)

Right (direction)

1. Turn right at the corner and keep going. (Stress right to clarify the direction.)

2. The park is just on the right side of the street. (Highlight right to show location.)

3. The map shows the trail heading right after the bridge. (Emphasize right to indicate movement.)

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.

Right (correct):

1. Absolutely right: Highlights strong agreement.

   • Tip: Stress absolutely to emphasize certainty.

   • Sentence: You are absolutely right about the weather forecast.

2. Right decision: Refers to a moral or good choice.

   • Tip: Highlight decision to focus on the act of choosing.

   • Sentence: He made the right decision to apologize.

3. Right answer: Indicates accuracy in a response.

   • Tip: Stress answer to show correctness.

   • Sentence: She gave the right answer during the test.

Right (direction):

1. Turn right: Instructs movement to the right.

   • Tip: Emphasize right to clarify the direction.

   • Sentence: You need to turn right after the stop sign.

2. Right side: Indicates a specific location.

   • Tip: Highlight side to show placement.

   • Sentence: The restaurant is on the right side of the road.

3. Go right: Suggests movement to the right.

   • Tip: Stress right to emphasize the direction.

   • Sentence: After the traffic light, go right to reach the park.

Things to Remember:

The word "right" is used in different contexts:

• Right (correct): Often paired with phrases like "absolutely right," "right decision," or "right answer."

  • Example: You were absolutely right about the best route to take.

• Right (direction): Works with words like "turn right," "right side," or "go right."

  • Example: The store is on the right side of the street.