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How to Pronounce grate vs great

Key Pronunciation Contrast

Homophones (⁄ɡreɪt⁄): to ‘grate’ means to shred or irritate; ‘great’ means immense, noble, or wonderful.

Contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄ɡreɪt⁄

grate

⁄ɡreɪt⁄

Syllables

GRATE

Definition:

A horizontal metal grill through which liquid, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot.

“The grate stopped the sheep from escaping from their field.”

great

⁄ɡreɪt⁄

Syllables

GREAT

Definition:

Taking much space; large.

““[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like // Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer, / With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer.[…]””

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Frequently Asked Questions: grate vs great

What is the difference in pronunciation between "grate" and "great"?

Homophones (⁄ɡreɪt⁄): to ‘grate’ means to shred or irritate; ‘great’ means immense, noble, or wonderful.

Where does the syllable stress fall in "grate" vs "great"?

"grate" has 1 syllable(s) (grate) with stress on "GRATE". "great" has 1 syllable(s) (great) with stress on "GREAT".

Why do English learners often confuse "grate" and "great"?

Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄ɡreɪt⁄. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.

What are example sentences for "grate" and "great"?

Example for "grate": "The grate stopped the sheep from escaping from their field." Example for "great": "“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like // Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer, / With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer.[…]”"