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?