Learn about the difference between the homophones: ail and ale

Definitions

ail

Ail is a verb that means to cause pain, discomfort or suffering. It can also mean to be unwell or to be troubled by something.

Example

The old injury still ails him.

Example

The bad news seemed to ail her for days.

ale

Ale is a noun that refers to a type of beer that is brewed using a warm fermentation method. It is typically darker and more full-bodied than lager.

Example

I prefer ale over lager.

Example

The pub had a great selection of ales on tap.

Tips To Remember the Differences

Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:

- To remember the difference between ail and ale, you could associate ail with illness or discomfort, since it is often used to describe physical or emotional pain. - You could associate ale with beer, since it is a type of alcoholic beverage.