Question

read the definitions.

lean
\\lēn\\
middle english lenen; old english hleoian; german hlinēn

verb

1. to bend from a vertical position
2. to rely on for support or inspiration
3. to incline in opinion, taste, or desire

lien
\\lē-ən\\
anglo-french lien; latin ligament, from ligare, \to bind\

which sentences use lean correctly? select two options.

• the property cannot be put on the market until the lean has been completely repaid.
• after the earthquake in crete, the water tower leans more than 15 degrees to the right.
• the business owner placed a lean on the property until the debt could be repaid.
• the voters are leaning toward the mayoral candidate with more government experience.
• the house could not be sold until the lean was removed.

Explanation:

Analyze the definitions of lean and lien

Using the Homophones and Homophone Differentiation knowledge points, we distinguish between the two words:

• lean (verb):

1. to bend from a vertical position
2. to rely on for support or inspiration
3. to incline in opinion, taste, or desire

• lien (noun): a legal claim on a property until a debt is repaid (derived from Latin ligare, "to bind").

Evaluate each sentence option

Using the Word Usage and Multiple-Meaning Words knowledge points:

• Sentence 1: "The property cannot be put on the market until the lean has been completely repaid."
• This refers to a financial/legal claim, which should be lien, not "lean". (Incorrect)
• Sentence 2: "After the earthquake in Crete, the water tower leans more than 15 degrees to the right."
• This uses "leans" to mean bending from a vertical position (Definition 1 of lean). (Correct)
• Sentence 3: "The business owner placed a lean on the property until the debt could be repaid."
• This refers to a legal claim, which should be lien, not "lean". (Incorrect)
• Sentence 4: "The voters are leaning toward the mayoral candidate with more government experience."
• This uses "leaning" to mean inclining in opinion or preference (Definition 3 of lean). (Correct)
• Sentence 5: "The house could not be sold until the lean was removed."
• This refers to a legal claim, which should be lien, not "lean". (Incorrect)

Answer:

• The property cannot be put on the market until the lean has been completely repaid.
• After the earthquake in Crete, the water tower leans more than 15 degrees to the right. (Correct answer)
• The business owner placed a lean on the property until the debt could be repaid.
• The voters are leaning toward the mayoral candidate with more government experience. (Correct answer)
• The house could not be sold until the lean was removed.