Spring vs Spring

• Spring (a season) – Noun

• Spring (to leap or jump suddenly) – Verb

Pronunciation

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

• Spring (Noun): Pronounced /sprɪŋ/ (SPRING) — A season.

• Spring (Verb): Pronounced /sprɪŋ/ (SPRING) — To jump or move suddenly.

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

Example Sentences

1. The flowers bloom beautifully in spring.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

2. The cat will spring onto the table to get its food.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

3. We enjoy picnics during the pleasant spring weather.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

4. The rabbit seemed to spring out of nowhere.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

5. She loves the vibrant colors of spring flowers.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

6. He watched the frog spring from one rock to another.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

7. The warm breeze in spring makes it my favorite season.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

8. The athlete can spring forward with incredible speed.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

9. Spring is often associated with new beginnings and growth.
   a. A season
   b. To leap or jump suddenly

10. The dog will spring up when it hears the doorbell.
    a. A season
    b. To leap or jump suddenly

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.

Spring (a season)

1. The flowers bloom beautifully in spring. (Stress spring to highlight the season.)

2. We enjoy the warm weather during spring. (Highlight spring to focus on the time of year.)

3. Spring is my favorite season for outdoor activities. (Emphasize spring to express preference.)

Spring (to leap or jump suddenly)

1. The frog will spring into the water if startled. (Stress spring to show the action.)

2. The athlete can spring into action with amazing speed. (Highlight spring to focus on the motion.)

3. The cat loves to spring onto high surfaces. (Emphasize spring to show agility.)

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.

Spring (a season):

1. Spring flowers: Focuses on the beauty of the season.

   • Tip: Highlight flowers to emphasize the visuals.

   • Sentence: The garden is filled with vibrant spring flowers.

2. Spring weather: Refers to the mild and pleasant climate.

   • Tip: Stress weather to focus on the atmosphere.

   • Sentence: We love going for walks in the spring weather.

3. Spring season: Highlights the time of year.

   • Tip: Highlight season to stress the period.

   • Sentence: The spring season is perfect for planting new crops.

Spring (to leap or jump suddenly):

1. Spring forward: Suggests sudden motion or progress.

   • Tip: Highlight forward to show the direction of the leap.

   • Sentence: The dog will spring forward to catch the ball.

2. Spring into action: Refers to starting quickly.

   • Tip: Emphasize action to focus on the energy involved.

   • Sentence: The firefighter will spring into action during an emergency.

3. Spring up: Indicates jumping or rising quickly.

   • Tip: Stress up to show the motion.

   • Sentence: The kids love to spring up and down on the trampoline.

Things to Remember:

The word "spring" is used in different contexts:

• Spring (a season): Often paired with phrases like "spring flowers," "spring weather," or "spring season."

  • Example: The spring flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully.

• Spring (to leap or jump suddenly): Commonly used with "spring forward," "spring into action," or "spring up."

  • Example: The athlete was able to spring forward with incredible speed.