Train vs Train

• Train (a vehicle on tracks) – Noun

• Train (to teach or practice a skill) – Verb

Pronunciation

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

• Train (Noun): Pronounced /treɪn/ (TRAYN) — A series of connected vehicles.

• Train (Verb): Pronounced /treɪn/ (TRAYN) — To teach or practice a skill.

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

Example Sentences

1. The train arrived at the station on time.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

2. She decided to train for the marathon.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

3. We could see the train coming from a distance.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

4. He was hired to train the new employees.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

5. The little boy loves to watch the train go by.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

6. They had to train every day to prepare for the tournament.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

7. The passengers boarded the train quickly.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

8. She needs to train her dog to sit and stay.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

9. The conductor blew the whistle as the train left.
   a. A vehicle on tracks
   b. To teach or practice a skill

10. He hopes to train as a professional chef.
    a. A vehicle on tracks
    b. To teach or practice a skill

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.

Train (a vehicle on tracks)

1. The train pulled into the station. (Stress train to highlight the vehicle.)

2. We watched the train speed by. (Emphasize speed by to show the motion.)

3. The passengers boarded the train quickly. (Highlight boarded to focus on the action.)

Train (to teach or practice a skill)

1. He wants to train for the upcoming marathon. (Stress train to show the activity.)

2. They had to train hard to master the skill. (Emphasize train to show effort.)

3. She is trying to train her puppy to sit. (Highlight train to focus on the action.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking. Create your own sentences with the following words and phrases.

Train (a vehicle on tracks):

1. Fast train: Highlights the speed of the train.

   • Tip: Emphasize fast to focus on motion.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

2. Train station: Refers to the location.

   • Tip: Stress station to set the scene.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

3. Board the train: Focuses on the action of getting on.

   • Tip: Highlight board to show urgency.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

Train (to teach or practice a skill):

1. Train daily: Suggests consistency in practice.

   • Tip: Emphasize daily to show routine.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

2. Train for success: Refers to working toward a goal.

   • Tip: Highlight success to show ambition.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

3. Train the dog: Focuses on teaching animals.

   • Tip: Stress dog to show the subject.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

Things to Remember:

The word "train" is used in different contexts:

• Train (a vehicle on tracks): Works with descriptive actions like "arrived," "departed," or "boarded."

  • Example: The train arrived at the station on time.

• Train (to teach or practice a skill): Works with action verbs like "train," "trained," or "training."

  • Example: She is training for her first marathon.