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Definition of homework
Examples of homework in a sentence.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homework.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near homework
Cite this entry.
“Homework.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homework. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of homework, more from merriam-webster on homework.
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for homework
Nglish: Translation of homework for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of homework for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homework
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[ hohm -wurk ]
- schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom ( distinguished from classwork ).
- a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class.
- paid work done at home , as piecework.
to do one's homework for the next committee meeting.
/ ˈhəʊmˌwɜːk /
- school work done out of lessons, esp at home
- any preparatory study
- work done at home for pay
Word History and Origins
Origin of homework 1
Idioms and Phrases
Example sentences.
Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.
Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.
Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.
Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.
As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.
“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.
Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.
She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.
And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.
Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.
Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.
For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.
His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.
Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.
And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.
Related Words
- arrangement
- construction
- establishment
- preparedness
- qualification
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Look up a word, learn it forever.
/ˌhoʊmˈwʌrk/.
Other forms: homeworks
Any assignment you're expected to complete after school and bring back to class the next day is called homework . Many students make up excuses for not having their homework done. The "My dog ate my homework " excuse doesn't work so well in the digital age.
High school students typically have a lot of homework most days, and often that's true for younger students as well. In college, an increasing amount of school work is done outside of class, as homework (even if you do it in the library, a cafe, or a dorm). Homework originally referred to any work done at home, including cooking and cleaning. The first example of the "school work" meaning dates from the late 1880s.
- noun preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home) synonyms: prep , preparation see more see less type of: school assignment , schoolwork a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher
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homework noun
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What does the noun homework mean?
There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun homework . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the noun homework ?
1750 | 0.0054 |
1760 | 0.0036 |
1770 | 0.0017 |
1780 | 0 |
1790 | 0.0002 |
1800 | 0.0015 |
1810 | 0.0016 |
1820 | 0.0016 |
1830 | 0.0005 |
1840 | 0.0017 |
1850 | 0.0024 |
1860 | 0.0048 |
1870 | 0.0053 |
1880 | 0.0079 |
1890 | 0.02 |
1900 | 0.052 |
1910 | 0.098 |
1920 | 0.29 |
1930 | 0.53 |
1940 | 0.91 |
1950 | 1.3 |
1960 | 1.7 |
1970 | 2.6 |
1980 | 3.8 |
1990 | 5.3 |
2000 | 6.2 |
2010 | 6.6 |
How is the noun homework pronounced?
British english, u.s. english, where does the noun homework come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the noun homework is in the mid 1600s.
OED's earliest evidence for homework is from 1653, in the writing of Edmund Chillenden, parliamentarian army officer and General Baptist leader.
homework is formed within English, by compounding.
Etymons: home n. 1 , work n.
Nearby entries
- homeward-bounder, n. 1837–
- homeward-bound pennant, n. 1853–
- homewardly, adv. 1797–
- homewards, adv. & adj. Old English–
- homeware, n. 1782–
- home waters, n. 1838–
- home wear, n. 1836–
- home-whining, n. a1657
- home wind, n. 1732–
- home-woe, n. 1838–
- homework, n. 1653–
- homework club, n. 1900–
- homework diary, n. 1973–
- homeworker, n. 1843–
- homeworking, n. 1844–
- home-working, adj. 1850–
- home worship, n. 1849–
- homewort, n. Old English–
- home-wreck, n. 1845–
- home-wrecker, n. 1878–
- home-wrecking, n. 1878–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for homework, n..
homework, n. was revised in September 2011.
homework, n. was last modified in July 2023.
oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:
- further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into homework, n. in July 2023.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
A Supplement to the New English Dictionary (1933)
- Find out more
OED Second Edition (1989)
- View homework in OED Second Edition
Please submit your feedback for homework, n.
Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.
Citation details
Factsheet for homework, n., browse entry.
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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
- acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education
- receive/provide somebody with training
- develop/design/plan a curriculum/course/program/syllabus
- give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
- hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
- moderate/lead/facilitate a discussion
- sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
- go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
- be in the first, second, etc. grade (at school)
- study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
- finish/drop out of/quit school
- graduate from high school/college
- be the victim/target of bullying/teasing
- skip/cut/ ( informal ) ditch class/school
- cheat on an exam/a test
- get/be given a detention (for doing something)
- be expelled from/be suspended from school
- do your homework/a project on something
- work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/a paper
- finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies
- hand in/turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
- study/prepare/review/ ( informal ) cram for a test/an exam
- take/ ( formal ) sit for a test/an exam
- grade homework/a test
- do well on/ ( informal ) ace a test/an exam
- pass/fail/ ( informal ) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
- apply to/get into/go to/start college
- leave/graduate from college (with a degree in computer science)/law school
- study for/work towards a law degree/a degree in physics
- major/minor in biology/philosophy
- earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a Ph.D. in economics
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Usage notes
- ( exercises assigned by a teacher ) The term homework generally implies that the work is mandatory and worth marks; exercises that are optional are usually referred to as practice problems , review problems , extra practice , exercises , etc.
- ( exercises assigned by a teacher ) Work of a larger scale than homework (which involves a series of relatively simple exercises) is usually referred to as an assignment or project .
Coordinate terms
Derived terms.
- bit of homework
- do one's homework
- homework club
- homework diary
- piece of homework
- the dog ate my homework
Translations
(wājib), (wājib manziliyy) (wājib) (tnayin ašxatankʻ), (das) (öygə eş) (xátnjaje zadánnje), (xátnjaja práca) (domášna rábota) (imca) / (gung fo ) / (zuòyè), / (jiātíng zuòyè), / (gōngkè) , , , , (sašinao davaleba) (ergasía gia to spíti) , (gŕhakārya) , (しゅくだい, shukudai) (üi tapsyrmasy) (sukje) (üy tapşırması) (wīak bān) (domašna rabota), (domašna zadača) , (geriin daalgavar) or , or (mašq), (kâr dar xâne), (taklif-e madrese), (kâr-e xânagi) (Dari) , , , , (domášneje zadánije), (domášnjaja rabóta), (domáška) (colloquial) , , , (Argentina, Spain, Uruguay), (Latin America) , , (vazifa-yi xonagi), (kor-i xonagi) (gaan-bâan) , (domášnje zavdánnja), (domášnja robóta) (sabaq) (tapshuruq) , , (heymarbet) |
(yánjiū), / (zhǔnbèi gōngzuò) , (podgotovítelʹnaja rabóta), (isslédovanije) |
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homework Definition
school work that a student is required to do at home.
Using homework: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "homework" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
I have a lot of homework to do tonight.
She always finishes her homework before watching TV.
The teacher assigned a lot of homework over the weekend.
homework Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for homework, phrases with homework, do one's homework.
to research or prepare for something, especially before making an important decision
Before investing in the stock market, it's important to do your homework and research the companies you're interested in.
homework assignment
a specific task or project given to a student to complete at home
The homework assignment for tonight is to read chapter 5 and answer the questions at the end of the chapter.
homework club
a program or group that provides a quiet and supervised environment for students to do their homework after school
The library offers a homework club for students who need help with their assignments or a quiet place to work.
Summary: homework in Brief
The term 'homework' [ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk] refers to school work that a student is required to do at home. It includes tasks like reading, writing, and problem-solving, and is often assigned by teachers. 'Homework' can be used in phrases like 'do one's homework,' meaning to research or prepare for something, and 'homework assignment,' referring to a specific task given to a student.
How do native speakers use this expression?
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- Knowledge Base
What Is a Verb? | Definition, Types & Examples
A verb is a word that describes what the subject of a sentence is doing. Verbs can indicate (physical or mental) actions, occurrences, and states of being.
Anita is thinking about horses.
Table of contents
Verb conjugation, regular vs. irregular verbs, transitive and intransitive verbs, stative and dynamic verbs.
- Linking verbs
- Auxiliary verbs
- Modal verbs
- Phrasal verbs
Other interesting language articles
Frequently asked questions about verbs.
Verbs can change form depending on subject , tense , mood , and voice . This is called conjugation.
There are six subject forms in English:
I | singular |
You | singular |
He/she/it | Third person singular |
We | First person plural |
You | Second person plural |
They | Third person plural |
Verbs and subjects must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This is called subject-verb agreement .
- She talks a lot .
- She talk a lot.
- We talk a lot.
- We talks a lot.
Verbs are also conjugated based on tense . There are three main tenses in English:
- Past (an action has taken place)
- Present (an action is taking place)
- Future (an action will take place)
Each tense has a simple , progressive , perfect , and perfect progressive aspect with its own rules for conjugation.
The forms a verb takes in each aspect depend on the subject and on whether the verb is regular or irregular. Below is a table illustrating the various forms the regular verb “look” takes in the first person singular when conjugated.
Past | Present | Future | |
---|---|---|---|
I at the painting. | I at the painting. | I at the painting. | |
I at the painting. | I at the painting. | I at the painting. | |
I at the painting. | I at the painting. | I at the painting. | |
I at the painting. | I at the painting. | I at the painting. |
The mood of a verb indicates the tone and intention of a sentence. There are five grammatical moods in English:
Grammatical mood | Function | Example |
---|---|---|
Indicative | Express a fact | “Tony chocolate.” |
Express a command or a request | “ the dishes.” | |
Interrogative | Ask a question | “ you do your homework?” |
Conditional | Express a condition | “If you want to borrow that book, you .” |
Express a wish, demand, doubt, or hypothetical situation | “If I rich, I would buy an island.” |
Active and passive voice
Most sentences can use either the active or the passive voice . An active sentence is one in which the subject performs the action.
A passive sentence is one in which the subject is acted upon. Passive sentences are constructed using a form of the auxiliary verb “be” (e.g., “was,” “is,” “were”) followed by the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “eaten,” “taken”).
Passive sentences are useful for emphasizing the outcome of an action rather than the action itself.
Participles
Participles are formed from verbs. There are two types of participles:
- Past participles are typically used in combination with an auxiliary verb (e.g., “has,” “have,” “had”) for perfect tenses (connecting a past action or event to a later time). Past participles are typically formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “worked”).
- Present participles are used for continuous tenses (describing an action that is ongoing). They are formed by adding the suffix “-ing” (e.g., “reading”).
Participles are often used as adjectives (e.g., “running shoes”).
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Regular verbs follow the standard conjugation rules for English verbs—most verbs are regular. A verb is considered regular if its simple past and past participle are formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (or “-d” if the word already ends in the letter “e”).
Claude had finished his dinner when James called.
Jock has finished writing in his journal.
Irregular verbs form their simple past and past participles in some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed.”
I had swum almost a mile when the island came into view.
Melissa has swum every Saturday for the last three years.
A transitive verb is a verb that acts on someone or something and therefore takes a direct object (the thing being acted upon).
Intransitive verbs do not act on someone or something and therefore do not take a direct object.
While an intransitive verb does not take a direct object, it can be used along with an adverb or adverbial phrase (as can a transitive verb).
Rita coughed loudly .
Some verbs are ditransitive , meaning they have two objects: a direct object and an indirect object (usually the person for whom the action is being performed).
Dynamic verbs (also called action verbs ) describe specific, temporary actions or events (e.g., “eat,” “sleep,” “write”).
Stative verbs describe a state of being or perception (e.g., “she is,” “it seems,” “they belong”). They can also be used to describe a mental, emotional, or physical state (e.g., “I believe,” “you hear”).
Stative verbs are typically used for a state of being that is general or unchanging, so they can’t be used in the progressive (continuous) tense.
- Karl believes in himself.
- Karl is believing in himself.
A linking verb (also called a copular verb ) connects the subject of a sentence with a “subject complement” (i.e., a noun or adjective that describes it). Common linking verbs include the verbs “be,” “seem,” “become,” and “feel.”
Most linking verbs can also be used as action verbs, describing a specific action rather than a state (e.g., “Sofie feels the pillow”).
Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs ) include verbs such as “be,” “do,” and “have.” They’re used in combination with another (main) verb to modify its meaning. Auxiliary verbs can be used to indicate tense , mood , and voice . They’re also used to form negative statements when used with words such as “not” and “never.”
Auxiliary verbs must be conjugated for tense and person (e.g., “I am,” “she was”).
Did you enjoy the meal?
The door was locked.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used along with another (main) verb to express ability, permission, possibility, necessity, or obligation. The main modal verbs are can , could , may , might , must , ought , shall , should , will , and would . Modal verbs do not change form.
Martin should speak a little louder.
A phrasal verb is a phrase made up of two or more words that acts as an individual verb. Phrasal verbs typically combine a verb with an adverb or preposition to create a meaning independent of the original words. For example, the verb “kick” and the preposition “off” combine to form the phrasal verb “kick off,” which means “begin.”
A gerund is a noun that takes the present participle (“-ing”) form of a verb. Gerunds typically describe the same action as the verb from which they are formed.
If you want to know more about nouns , pronouns , verbs, and other parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations and examples.
Nouns & pronouns
- Common nouns
- Proper nouns
- Collective nouns
- Personal pronouns
- Uncountable and countable nouns
- Verb tenses
- Sentence structure
- Active vs passive voice
- Subject-verb agreement
- Interjections
- Determiners
- Prepositions
A verb is a word that indicates a physical action (e.g., “drive”), a mental action (e.g., “think”), or a state of being (e.g., “exist”). Every sentence contains a verb.
Verbs are almost always used along with a noun or pronoun to describe what the noun or pronoun is doing.
There are many ways to categorize verbs into various types. A verb can fall into one or more of these categories depending on how it is used.
Some of the main types of verbs are:
- Regular verbs
- Irregular verbs
- Transitive verbs
- Intransitive verbs
- Dynamic verbs
- Stative verbs
Regular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participle are formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “walked”).
Irregular verbs are verbs that form their simple past and past participles in some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “sat”).
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- Past Perfect Tense | Examples & Exercises
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- Past Tense of Beat | Definition, Use & Example Sentences
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- Present Continuous Tense | Examples & Exercises
- Present Perfect Continuous | Examples & Exercises
- Present Perfect Tense | Examples & Use
- Regular Verbs | Meaning, Examples & List
- Simple Past Tense | Examples & Exercises
- Simple Present Tense | Examples, Use & Worksheet
- Stative Verbs | Definition, List & Examples
- The Past Tense l Explanation, Examples & Worksheet
- The Subjunctive Mood | Definition & Examples
- What Is a Linking Verb? | Definition & Examples
- What Is a Modal Verb? | Definition & Examples
- What Is a Participle? | Definition, Types & Examples
- What Is a Past Participle? | Definition & Examples
- What Is a Present Participle? | Examples & Definition
- What Is a Transitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz
- What Is an Auxiliary Verb? | Definition & Examples
- What Is an Intransitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz
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noun as in assignment
Strongest matches
- appointment
Strong matches
noun as in drill
- conditioning
- preparation
- constitutional
- instruction
- run through
Weak matches
- daily dozen
- learning by doing
noun as in lesson
noun as in practice
noun as in preparation
- arrangement
- construction
- establishment
- preparedness
- qualification
- anticipation
- expectation
- manufacture
- substructure
- getting ready
- making ready
- putting in order
noun as in revision
- improvement
- modification
- reconsideration
- reexamination
- rectification
- retrospection
- overhauling
Example Sentences
Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.
Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.
Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.
Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.
As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.
“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.
Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.
She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.
And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.
Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.
Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.
For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.
His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.
Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.
And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.
Related Words
Words related to homework are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word homework . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.
noun as in responsibility, task
noun as in practice, exercise
noun as in information taught
noun as in exercise, application
Viewing 5 / 7 related words
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
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Unit 2: Parts of speech: the verb
About this unit.
Oh no! What shall we DO? Great question, and one that a verb can answer! The verb is the part of speech that describes ACTIONS.
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Is "homework" countable?
I was wondering if "homework" is countable? I remember it is an uncountable noun when I learned English in middle school.
Suppose now I would like to ask my teacher to hand back my graded "homeworks" of last three times. How shall I ask him?
- uncountable-nouns
- countable-nouns
4 Answers 4
"Homework" is uncountable since it is treated as a general meaning not a particular item, like "work", "money" etc.
In your case, use "assignment" instead.
May I have my last three graded assignments back please?
- Both 'work' and 'money' are countified and have well-documented plural forms. 'Homeworks' has not got the same pedigree, though some dictionaries license it with caveats. – Edwin Ashworth Commented Jun 22, 2019 at 18:44
While I've seen the word homeworks used, I've never seen anything legitimate to indicate that it's correct. In any case, you can use the term homework assignments to refer to multiple homework items. That's a fairly common term, at least in American English.
- Thanks! But I don't ask my teacher for assignments, but my homework that I have worked out and handed to my teacher, and the homework is from last three times. How shall I ask him? – Tim Commented May 22, 2011 at 1:39
- 1 @Tim: In American English, assignments is used for what you describe. In British English, homeworks is at least marginally acceptable — we used it at at least one school I went to, although I do remember it feeling awkward/slangy to me at first. – PLL Commented May 22, 2011 at 8:10
- What I’ve seen to indicate it is correct is its frequent use by native speakers – Casey Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 22:37
Traditionally, it is not countable, and most dictionaries list it as such.
However, the Merriam-Webster thesaurus (although not the Merriam-Webster dictionary) does have an entry for homeworks . Moreover, the plural form is used by at least some groups of educated native speakers.
One's best bet is to try to find out if one's audience belongs to a group that tends to use homeworks . If yes, then go ahead and use that word yourself. If not, rephrase as homework assignments or something similar.
Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
Notice that the Merriam-Webster thesaurus has the following entry :
homeworks noun plural of homework Synonyms of homeworks as in schoolwork Synonyms & Near Synonyms for homeworks schoolwork assignments, lessons, reading lectures drills, exercises, practices (also practises ) études, studies
(Interestingly, the Merriam-Webster dictionary entry does not give a plural form for homework .)
Examples of usage by educated native speakers
Such examples are not hard to find at all. For instance, American professors of linguistics, physics, and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks quite frequently.
All of the examples below are from native speakers, as best as I can tell.
Here are five examples from linguistics professors:
Final grades will be calculated as follows: 30% for homeworks, 20% for the midterm, … Penny Eckert and Ivan A. Sag , Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics (Syllabus), 2011, here . Late assignments are not accepted, but your two lowest-scoring homeworks will be dropped. Adam Jardine , Introduction to Linguistic Theory (Honors) (Syllabus), 2018, here . Homeworks are due at the beginning of class on the days indicated. Emily M. Bender, Linguistics 461: Introduction to Syntax (Syllabus), here . If turned in complete, the homeworks will be graded 8 (well below average), 9 (average), or 10 (well above average); but 0 if not done. Anthony C. Woodbury, Linguistics 306: Introduction to the study of language (Syllabus), here . Homeworks: 25% (lowest score dropped) Dani Byrd and Toby Mintz , Ling 275: Language & Mind (Syllabus), 2006, here .
Here are five examples from physics professors:
Some homeworks are 'secret' assessment exercises: General GRE, Praxis and Major Field Tests Richard Robinett, Penn State Physics Undergraduate Program Better Practices, 2010, p. 12 here . Homeworks are like sports practice Tom Moore , Teaching General Relativity with Tensors, 2006, here . These concepts can be introduced to students through labs, homeworks, and discussion questions. Brianna Billingsley and Cory Christenson, Incorporating Non-Western Contributions Into the Intro Physics Curriculum, 2019, here . With their flexible design, PhET sims are used in many ways—as demos, homeworks, or inexpensive, accessible lab alternatives—and getting started is easy with our database of over 500 activities. Katherine K. Perkins, Teaching Physics with PhET Simulations: Engaging Students and Increasing Learning (Abstract) 2012, p. 58 here . In this talk, we will outline the reforms—including consensus learning goals, “clicker” questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more—and present evidence of the effectiveness of these reforms relative to traditional courses. Katherine K. Perkins, Steven Pollock, Stephanie Chasteen, Steve Goldhaber, Rachel Pepper, Michael Dubson, and Paul Beale, Colorado's Transformed Upper-Division E&M and QM courses: Description and Results (Abstract) 2010, p. 119 here .
And here are five examples from mathematics professors:
Homeworks 1-3 David Blecher, here . There will be two midterm exams, weekly homeworks, and a final exam. Scott Sutherland, MAT 141: Honors Calculus 1 (syllabus), 2012, here . MIT 3.016 Homeworks W. Craig Carter, Mathematics for Materials Science and Engineers, MIT 3.016 (syllabus), 2011, (here) . Click on the link 'Problem Sets and Solutions'; you will reach this page , which is where the word homeworks appears (in the page heading). Homeworks (41/42 Track); Homeworks (51 Track) Andrew Schultz, SSEA 2006: Mathematics Track, 2006, here . All homeworks, except the first one, are due on Thursday at 3:30pm Mike Clancy and David Wagner, CS 70, Spring 2005: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, 2005, here .
In searching for examples, I also saw examples of similar usage by professors of comparative literature , philosophy, computer science, chemistry, and sociology.
- Even Wiktionary fails to concede the plural form as a possibility, but this is doubtless an ongoing countification (and 10 years is a substantial time for the evolution to progress). – Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 16:42
- American professors of physics and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks... I wonder if I should take seriously pronouncements on quantum physics by English professors... – Greybeard Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 18:18
- @EdwinAshworth I just looked at Wiktionary , and it says 'usually uncountable, plural homeworks '. The edit that added that note was on 5 October 2015. So indeed, things change in ten years! – linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:18
- Whoops, I had SimpleWiktionary , which I didn't know existed. Obviously homeworks is harder. – Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:53
- @Greybeard Apologies if your comment was meant as a joke, but if it wasn't (and for the benefit of those who don't take it as a joke), the answer is, no you shouldn't. And indeed, conversely, if physics or math professors were to start making 'pronouncements' about whether a particular word is acceptable English, you shouldn't take that seriously, either. But that's not what's going on in my answer. My answer simply points out that there is a U.S.-wide, loosely connected group of educated native speakers who rather frequently and unselfconsciously use homeworks in day-to-day life. – linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 18:38
Ask for "items" or "pieces" of homework.
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged nouns uncountable-nouns countable-nouns or ask your own question .
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- Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Meaning of do your homework in English
Do your homework.
- batten down the hatches idiom
- break someone in
- bug-out bag
- build (someone/something) up
- gear (someone/something) up
- get/have your ducks in a row idiom
- gird your self idiom
- preparation
- roll up your sleeves idiom
- set something up
- set the scene/stage idiom
Translations of do your homework
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Homework - singular or plural?
- Thread starter Mr_Croft
- Start date Nov 19, 2007
- Nov 19, 2007
Senior Member
I haven't ( have not) done it. It is singular. My homework is singular. It names the collective tasks I have to do. Bienvenido mr_Croft! Note: Some dictionaries describe this noun as "uncountable". There are many threads here about uncountable nouns. You may find them by using the forum Search feature, or by looking up the word "uncountable" in the WordReference English dictionary. It will display threads with that word in the title: Forum discussions with the word(s) 'uncountable' in the title: Countable and uncountable, depending on context! Countable, uncountable: asparagus Countable, uncountable: homework Uncountable nouns - an exercise is the word "cheese" uncountable? Countable, uncountable: mail, e-mail Countable, uncountable: broccoli, orange Countable, uncountable: advice, bread, cabbage, hair, onions Countable, uncountable: chocolate, chocolates Countable, uncountable: food Countable, uncountable: news Two uncountable nouns become plural? Countable, uncountable: peanuts, people Should the verb be singular or plural after two uncountable nouns? Countable and uncountable, depending on context! uncountable luck Biker, Sponsor: UNCOUNTABLE??? is or are with a list of uncountable Countable, uncountable: help Countable, uncountable: snow Two types of uncountable nouns. the use of articles with uncountable nouns Countable, uncountable: patience "Advice" - uncountable??? Tip (countable or uncountable)
The last time we talked about this, everyone but me said that homework is not countable. Countable, uncountable: homework But in this particular example, even I would say: I haven't done my homework. Have you done your homework? I haven't done it yet. - - - even if I have homework to do in several different subjects.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
How to use homework in a sentence. piecework done at home for pay; an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular class period… See the full definition
HOMEWORK definition: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.
Homework definition: schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom (distinguished from classwork).. See examples of HOMEWORK used in a sentence.
The homework assignments are worth 10% of the final grade. I have some homework to do on the Civil War. I want you to hand in this homework on Friday. The science teacher always gives a lot of homework. They get a lot of homework in English. They get masses of homework at secondary school. We had to write out one of the exercises for homework.
3 meanings: 1. school work done out of lessons, esp at home 2. any preparatory study 3. work done at home for pay.... Click for more definitions.
homework: 1 n preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home) Synonyms: prep , preparation Type of: school assignment , schoolwork a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher
The earliest known use of the noun homework is in the mid 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for homework is from 1653, in the writing of Edmund Chillenden, parliamentarian army officer and General Baptist leader. homework is formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: home n.1, work n. See etymology.
Definition of homework noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... I have to write up the notes for homework. compare classwork Topic Collocations Education learning. acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education;
HOMEWORK definition: 1. work that teachers give students to do at home: 2. to prepare carefully for a situation: . Learn more.
Homework definition: Work, such as schoolwork or piecework, that is done at home.
Homework is a set of tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed at home. Common homework assignments may include required reading, a writing or typing project, mathematical exercises to be completed, information to be reviewed before a test, or other skills to be practiced.
homework (usually uncountable, plural homeworks) Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class . You must do your homework before you can watch television. 2013 July 1, Peter Wilby, "Finland's education ambassador spreads the word", in The Guardian [1], archived from the original on 2022-10-15: Even ...
HOMEWORK meaning: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.
Summary: homework in Brief. The term 'homework' [ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk] refers to school work that a student is required to do at home. It includes tasks like reading, writing, and problem-solving, and is often assigned by teachers. 'Homework' can be used in phrases like 'do one's homework,' meaning to research or prepare for something, and 'homework ...
Verbs can indicate (physical or mental) actions, occurrences, and states of being. Examples: Verbs in a sentence. Jeffrey builds a house. Anita is thinking about horses. True love exists. Every sentence must have at least one verb. At the most basic level, a sentence can consist solely of a single verb in the imperative form (e.g., "Run.").
Find 159 different ways to say HOMEWORK, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helper verbs or helping verbs, are minor verbs that support the sentence's main verb to communicate complex grammar concepts like aspects of time or modality. For example, in this sentence, "I have finished the report," the auxiliary verb have supports the main verb finish. Auxiliary verbs can be confusing ...
Unit 1 Parts of speech: the noun. Unit 2 Parts of speech: the verb. Unit 3 Parts of speech: the pronoun. Unit 4 Parts of speech: the modifier. Unit 5 Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunction. Unit 6 Punctuation: the comma and the apostrophe. Unit 7 Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and more. Unit 8 Syntax: sentences and clauses.
Traditionally, it is not countable, and most dictionaries list it as such. However, the Merriam-Webster thesaurus (although not the Merriam-Webster dictionary) does have an entry for homeworks. Moreover, the plural form is used by at least some groups of educated native speakers. One's best bet is to try to find out if one's audience belongs to ...
Get a better grasp of these types of words with examples of helping verb sentences and simple explanations. Dictionary Thesaurus Sentences Grammar ... I will not accept any late homework. (Helping verb will and adverb not modify the main verb accept) Ted is not getting the promotion this year.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK definition: 1. to study a subject or situation carefully so that you know a lot about it and can deal with it…. Learn more.
It is singular. My homework is singular. It names. the collective tasks I have to do. Bienvenido mr_Croft! Note: Some dictionaries describe this noun as "uncountable". There are many threads here about uncountable nouns. You may find them by using the forum Search feature, or by looking up the word "uncountable" in the WordReference English ...
Past Tense of Read | Definition & Examples. Published on August 13, 2024 by Trevor Marshall, MSc. The simple past tense and past participle of the verb read are spelled the same as the infinitive: read. Because it is an irregular verb, read doesn't follow the regular pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tenses.