Rock vs Rock

• Rock (a stone) – Noun

• Rock (to move gently back and forth) – Verb

Pronunciation

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

• Rock (Noun): Pronounced /rɑk/ (RAHK) — A stone.

• Rock (Verb): Pronounced /rɑk/ (RAHK) — To move gently back and forth.

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

Example Sentences

1. He picked up a smooth rock from the riverbed.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

2. She rocked the baby to sleep in her arms.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

3. A huge rock blocked the path on the hiking trail.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

4. The boat began to rock as the waves grew stronger.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

5. The children collected colorful rocks at the beach.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

6. She likes to rock in her chair while reading.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

7. The climber scaled the tall rock face with ease.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

8. The gentle breeze caused the hammock to rock slightly.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

9. A rock fell from the cliff and splashed into the water.
   a. A stone
   b. To move gently back and forth

10. They watched the old swing set rock back and forth in the wind.
    a. A stone
    b. To move gently back and forth

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.

Rock (a stone)

1. He threw a small rock into the lake. (Stress rock to focus on the object.)

2. A giant rock blocked their way on the trail. (Emphasize giant to show its size.)

3. The rocks were smooth and colorful. (Highlight rocks to describe their appearance.)

Rock (to move gently back and forth)

1. She began to rock the baby to sleep. (Stress rock to focus on the action.)

2. The waves made the boat rock gently. (Emphasize gently to create a calm mood.)

3. The old chair rocked back and forth with a creak. (Highlight rocked to describe the 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. Create your own sentences with the following words and phrases.

Rock (a stone):

1. Small rock: Refers to the size of the stone.

   • Tip: Emphasize small to focus on its size.

   • Sentence: The child skipped a small rock across the pond.

2. Smooth rock: Highlights its texture.

   • Tip: Stress smooth to describe its feel.

   • Sentence: She found a smooth rock on the beach.

3. Giant rock: Suggests the stone's size and importance.

   • Tip: Highlight giant to show its enormity.

   • Sentence: The climber rested on a giant rock halfway up the mountain.

Rock (to move gently back and forth):

1. Rock gently: Describes a soothing motion.

   • Tip: Stress gently to set a peaceful tone.

   • Sentence: The hammock began to rock gently in the breeze.

2. Rock the baby: Focuses on the act of comforting.

   • Tip: Highlight baby to show who is being soothed.

   • Sentence: She loved to rock the baby in her arms.

3. Rock back and forth: Emphasizes the repetitive motion.

   • Tip: Emphasize back and forth to highlight the movement.

   • Sentence: The chair continued to rock back and forth as he read.

Things to Remember:

The word "rock" is used in different contexts:

• Rock (a stone): Works with descriptive words like "small," "smooth," or "giant."

  • Example: The climber scaled the rock with ease.

• Rock (to move gently): Works with actions or phrases like "rock gently," "rock back and forth," or "rock the baby."

  • Example: She began to rock the baby in her arms.