Word Work:Review of Commonly
Confused Homophones
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.
Importance
• Why do you think it is important as good writers to use your homophones accurately?
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!!
There/Their/They’reThere 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.
There/Their/They’re Practice
1. _________ aren’t any pencils left in the cup.2. They think _________ so cool.3. _________ excited about dessert tonight.4. _________ is my favorite kind of car.5. I like _________ puppy; it’s cute.6. _________ playing Ultimate Frisbee. 7. Don’t go _________ without your jacket.8. _________ is _________ pet rat, which
_________ taking to Disney World.
Its/It’sIts 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.
Its/It’s Practice
1. ______ bad enough they let their dog bark all the time, but now they’ve taken away ______ dog house, too!
2. The weather report announced _______ going to rain today.
3. I chose this book because I know _______ author.4. My aunt said although the turtle was cute, we still
had to return it to ______ home.5. I don’t think _______ nice to put your finger in
your nose.
Your/You’reYour 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.
Your/You’re Practice
1. Is that a new sweater _________ wearing?2. Do you think ________ coming to my house
after school?3. ________ getting on my nerves.4. Leave ________ attitude outside.5. This isn’t ________ day, is it?6. I think _________ great.
To/Two/TooTo 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)
To/Two/Too Practice
1. I will write ______ letters _____ you, ______. I promise!
2. If you eat ______ much ice cream, you will end up with a stomach ache.
3. We’re going ______ play baseball at the park.4. My cousin plans to meet us at the park for the
game, ______.5. Dinner won’t be ready for another ______
hours.6. We are going ______ the soccer field to practice
for the ______ games we have later this week.
Word Work: Day TwoMORE Commonly Confused
Homophones
Accept/ExceptAccept 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.
Are/OurAre 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.
Bored/BoardBored 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.
Break/BrakeBreak 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.
Buy/By/ByeBuy 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!”
Hear/HereHear 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.
Hole/WholeHole 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.
Passed/PastPassed 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.
Principal/PrinciplePrincipal 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.
Right/WriteRight 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.
Then/ThanThen 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.
Wear/WhereWear 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.
Who’s/WhoseWho’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?