Learn about the difference between the homophones: ere, air and heir

Definitions

ere

Ere is a conjunction that means 'before' or 'prior to'.

Example

I had never seen such a beautiful sunset ere that day.

Example

He left the party ere I arrived.

air

Air is a noun that refers to the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen.

Example

The air is getting colder as winter approaches.

Example

I love the fresh air in the countryside.

heir

Heir is a noun that refers to a person who inherits or is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the property or rank of another.

Example

The prince is the heir to the throne.

Example

She is the sole heir to her grandfather's fortune.

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 differentiate between ere and air, remember that ere means 'before' or 'prior to', while air refers to the atmosphere around us. - To distinguish heir from the other two words, remember that it refers to a person who inherits property or rank.