5.2.1.1.1: The Homonyms- Buy, Buy, and Bye
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The Homonyms: By, Buy, and Bye
The homonyms by, buy, and bye can also be a bit confusing “By” is a preposition; “buy” is a verb, and “bye” can be an expression for good-bye or it can mean not having to play a game in a competition because of the best record of wins versus losses.
1. By is a preposition which tells who or what did something or how someone or something did an action. It can also mean near or next to something. For example, I came to school by car. He passed the exam by studying hard. The carpet was made by hand in Iran. The poem was written by John. I walked by the library on my way to the park. The young boy took a bath by himself.
2. Buy is a verb meaning to purchase something. I buy tools when I need them. Women like to buy shoes. I go shopping and buy the groceries for my family.
3. Bye means goodbye. For example, I said goodbye to my son this morning. People say bye-bye to children. The man said bye for now; I’ll see you tomorrow.
Bye when used as a noun means that the team with the best won/lost record doesn’t have to play an opening game in a championship series. The best team in the National Football League in each division doesn’t have to play a game in the first round of playoffs; they have a bye.
By, Buy, and Bye Exercise
Exercise 9: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of by, buy, or bye, please.
1. I will ----------- a cup of coffee and then say ------------ for now.
2. The Seahawks drew a ------------ in the playoffs for the first round.
3. The cake was made ------------ my mother, but my sister had to ----------- the ingredients.
4. He came to the party ----------- himself ---------- bus and said ------------ at 10:00 PM.
5. You will need to ----------- books when you enter college.
6. My son wanted to ------------ a car, but he didn’t ----------- one because he was broke.
7. ------------ working two jobs, he was able to save enough money to ---------- a car.
8. My mother waved ------------ ------------ when my children got into the car to go home.
9. It is easy to ------------ things ------------ using a credit card, but if you do it too often you will say ------------ to your hard-earned money.
10. ------------ getting a ------------ in the first game, the team was able to rest up.