1. Word Work: Review of Commonly Confused Homophones

2. Definition
Homophones are words that sound alike but are spelled differently.
We use context clues in the sentence where the word appears, to determine the intended meaning.

3. Importance
Why do you think it is important as good writers to use your homophones accurately?

4. High-Frequency Words
Based on common errors in student writing, we are going to closely examine the most commonly confused homophones.
You need to become accountable for 100% accuracy with these words by the end of our unit study!!

5. There/Their/They’re There Their They’re
In reference to a place or an idea
Hint: You see the word “here” in “there”
Example: The boy wants to go over there and play on the swings.
Shows ownership; belongs to “them”
Example: The children are riding their bikes to the park today.
Contraction of “they are”
Example: They’re going to lose every game this season if they keep playing like this.

6. There/Their/They’re Practice
_________ aren’t any pencils left in the cup.
They think _________ so cool.
_________ excited about dessert tonight.
_________ is my favorite kind of car.
I like _________ puppy; it’s cute.
_________ playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Don’t go _________ without your jacket.
_________ is _________ pet rat, which _________ taking to Disney World.

7. Its/It’s Its It’s Shows ownership; belongs to “it”
Example: The puppy dazzled the audience with its amazing cuteness.
Contraction of “it is” or “it has”
Example: It’s going to be warm and sunny on Tuesday.

8. Its/It’s Practice
______ bad enough they let their dog bark all the time, but now they’ve taken away ______ dog house, too!
The weather report announced _______ going to rain today.
I chose this book because I know _______ author.
My aunt said although the turtle was cute, we still had to return it to ______ home.
I don’t think _______ nice to put your finger in your nose.

9. Your/You’re Your You’re Shows ownership; belongs to “you”
Example: Here is the rest of your money; thanks for letting me borrow it!
Contraction of “you are”
Example: You’re going to be in big trouble for breaking the neighbor’s window.

10. Your/You’re Practice Is that a new sweater _________ wearing?
Do you think ________ coming to my house after school?
________ getting on my nerves.
Leave ________ attitude outside.
This isn’t ________ day, is it?
I think _________ great.

11. To/Two/Too To Two Too Shows direction Or, can be used before a verb
Example: We are going to the pool. (direction)
Example: He has to run a mile a day to stay in shape. (before the verb “run”)
The number (2)
Example: There are only two cupcakes left.
Can mean…
-also/as well
-very
-more than necessary
Example: Matt is going to the movies, too. (also)
Example: That math test was too hard. (very)
Example: Don’t eat too much before dinner. (more than is necessary)

12. To/Two/Too Practice
I will write ______ letters _____ you, ______. I promise!
If you eat ______ much ice cream, you will end up with a stomach ache.
We’re going ______ play baseball at the park.
My cousin plans to meet us at the park for the game, ______.
Dinner won’t be ready for another ______ hours.
We are going ______ the soccer field to practice for the ______ games we have later this week.

13. Word Work: Day Two MORE Commonly Confused Homophones

14. Accept/Except Accept Except
Example: At the banquet, each player will accept a trophy for winning the U-13 division this season.
Example: I can eat almost anything, except for foods that contain peanuts.

15. Are/Our Are Our A linking verb
Example: We are going grocery shopping this afternoon.
Shows ownership
Example: This is our planet and we must care for it responsibly.

16. Bored/Board Bored Board
Example: It was a rainy Sunday with nothing on TV; I was bored out of my mind.
Example: The carpenter needed a saw a board of wood to build the new shelf.

17. Break/Brake Break Brake To damage or destroy Or, to pause or to rest
Example: I hope he doesn’t break your heart.
Example: I’m tired; can we take a break?
To stop or slow down
Example: When a deer darted out into the road, the man slammed hard on the brake to stop his car.

18. Buy/By/Bye Buy By Bye To purchase
Example: I am going to buy some candy with my allowance.
Near
Example: We waited by the bench for our bus to arrive.
As in “goodbye”
Example: “Bye! See you after school!”

19. Hear/Here Hear Here To listen to sound
Example: Can those of you sitting in the back still hear the speaker at the podium?
A location
Example: Wait here and I will be right back with your food.

20. Hole/Whole Hole Whole An opening through something
Example: The man peered into the hole to retrieve his golf ball.
Undivided; in one entire piece
Example: I was very hungry and ate a whole pizza by myself.

21. Passed/Past Passed Past To move ahead of Or to achieve a passing score
Example: I was thrilled when I passed my driver’s test and earned my license.
In reference to time; before “now”
Example: It is important to study the Holocaust so that we learn from the past.

22. Principal/Principle Principal Principle First in rank; chief
Your princi-pal
Example: The principal is in charge of running the school and its staff efficiently.
An accepted rule, law, or truth
Example: The principle of freedom is important to citizens of America.

23. Right/Write Right Write What is good and proper
Direction (opposite of left)
Example: It is not always easy to do what is right.
The act of putting words or thoughts on paper
Example: Please write your name at the top of the paper.

24. Then/Than
Then
Than
A transition or sequence word that means “next”, “after”
Example: First, we are going to the mall and then we will get ice cream.
Used when comparing
Example: The number two is greater than the number one.

25. Wear/Where Wear Where To have some type of covering on the body
Example: It is important to wear warm clothes when playing in the snow.
A place
Example: We need a map to determine where we are going.

26. Who’s/Whose Who’s Whose Contraction for “who is”
Example: Who’s going to drive me to my soccer game tonight?
Shows ownership
Example: Do you know whose hat this is?