English usage and grammar

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What is the name of the phenomenon in which you confuse a noun with one of its verb tenses? (Example below.) (self.english)

submitted 11 months ago by favrion to c/[email protected]

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For example, if you say that "feed" isn't a real word because there is a better way to say "issued someone a fee," but the real word is "feed" as in "to provide with nourishment," what would that error in judgment be called?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (4 children)

I don’t really understand your question. Feed meaning “to offer sustenance” has a different etymology than the noun fee meaning “amount paid.” While virtually any noun in the language can be made a verb, it seems unnecessary in this case since to charge is available and already expresses this meaning.

[–] favrion 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It's a matter of context, not etymology.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago

In this context, only etymology is relevant.

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