Row vs Row

Row (a line of things or people) – Noun
Row (propelling a boat) – Verb

Pronunciation

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

Row (Noun): Pronounced /roʊ/ (ROH) — A line of things.

Row (Verb): Pronounced /raʊ/ (ROW) — To move on water.

• 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 "row" in context. Can you tell which “row” is being mentioned as you read each sentence? Which “row” is being referred to?

Example Sentences:

1. The chairs are in a row.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

2. Rowing all day and night made her arms hurt.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

3. The children sat in a row at school.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

4. He arrived on shore because he rowed quickly.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

5. I baked five cakes, all in a row.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

6. He will row the boat.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

7. She is rowing across the lake.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

8. They have rowed for hours.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

9. The students walked in a row to the cafeteria.
   a. row or line of something
   b. row to move across water

10. He rowed the canoe across the river before sunset.
    a. row or line of something
    b. row to move across water

Answers:

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. b

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.

• Use the bolded words to help you send the intended message.

• Listen to the audio to hear the following sentences.

Row (a line):

1. There were rows and rows of flowers. (Stressing how many flowers there were, emphasizing variety.)

2. I sat in the front row at the movie theater. (Highlighting the best or closest seat.)

3. The kids washed their hands all in a row. (Emphasizing the order or sequence of actions.)

Row (propelling):

1. We rowed the boat to the island. (Stressing the action of moving across water.)

2. She enjoys rowing in the early morning. (Emphasizing the activity she loves.)

3. He rowed so fast that his arms ached. (Stressing the effort and speed of the action.)

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.

Row (a line):

• Rows and rows: Suggests abundance or repetition.

  • Tip: Say the phrase slowly to show how many chairs or items there were.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

• Front row: Highlights the importance of position or preference.

  • Tip: Say the phrase faster, pause, then continue to show how proud you were to sit in the front row.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

• All in a row: Focuses on sequence or order.

  • Tip: Say “All” slower to show that every child was present.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

Row (propelling):

• Rowed the boat: Underlines the specific action.

  • Tip: Say “rowed” slower to emphasize you were tired of rowing.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

• Rowing: Emphasizes the enjoyment of the activity.

  • Tip: Say “rowing and early” slower to show what she loves and when she enjoys it most.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

• Rowed so fast: Adds intensity or effort to the action.

  • Tip: Say “so” very slow to show how fast he rowed.

  • Sentence: ____________________.

Things to Remember:

• The word "row" is used in different contexts and fits into certain tenses:

Row (a line):

• Works with supporting verbs like is, are, was, were, will be.

  • Example: The chairs are in a row.

Row (propelling):

• Works with all tenses: row, rowed, rowing.

  • Example: She is rowing the boat.