SPEAK with understanding
→ Read or Listen to the passage. Locate all of the meanings of the homonym or heteronym. Studying for a test: limit and time your responses to 30-60 seconds.

HETERONYM: INVALID

“At the library, I tried to log in to the computer, but the system flashed ‘invalid password,’ and I had to try again. Frustrated, I double-checked my notes until it finally worked. Later in history class, we read about soldiers who returned from war injured and sometimes lived as an invalid, unable to walk or work as they once had. That afternoon, while filling out a form, my teacher explained that if you leave a section blank, it will be marked as invalid and not accepted.”

How many meanings did you find?

List of the different ways that this word can be used.

SPEAK w/ P I E

  • Pronunciation

    Invalid (/ˈɪn.və.lɪd/) → stress first syllable (not correct).

    Invalid (/ˈɪn.və.lɪd/) → same stress, but context shows meaning (disabled).

  • Intonation Practice
    “The form was invalid without a signature.”
    “He lived as an invalid after the injury.”

  • Expression Tip
    Use the same stress; meaning depends on context.

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. Invalid (/ˈɪn.və.lɪd/) – not correct or acceptable.

  2. Invalid (/ˈɪn.və.lɪd/) – disabled or too sick to work (older use).

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Invalid argument – reasoning not correct.

  • Invalid ticket – not usable.