Struggling with which version of a word to use? Here’s a basic guide to homophones!
Homophones are words you see everyday and you might not even realize it. A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and/or meaning. For example, “flower” and “flour” are homophones because they sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. The English language has over four hundred homophones! Here’s a list of some common homophones you might be mixing up!
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1. Air vs Heir
Air - the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the Earth
Ex: “The air is thinning.”
Heir - someone legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death
Ex: “He was the heir to the throne.”
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2. Aisle vs I’ll vs Isle
Aisle - a path between a row of seats in a building such as a church or theatre, an airplane, or a train
Ex: “Her father walked her down the aisle.”
I’ll - I will
Ex: “I’ll see you later.”
Isle - an island or peninsula, especially a small one
Ex: “The Isle of Capri, off the coast of Italy.”
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3. Allowed vs Aloud
Allowed - granted someone permission to do something
Ex: “You are allowed to play outside.”
Aloud - audibly, not silently
Ex: “She spoke her essay aloud for the class.”
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4. Bare vs Bear
Bare - not clothed or covered
Ex: “He was bare naked.”
Bear - carry the weight of; support
Ex: “I can’t bear to see her like this.”
Bear - the animal
Ex: “That bear is huge!”
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5. Board vs Bored
Board - a long, thin, flat piece of wood or other hard material, used for floors and other building purposes
Ex: “Grab that board right there.”
Bored - feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in their current activity
Ex: “I’m so bored.”
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6. Buy vs By vs Bye
Buy - to purchase an item
Ex: “I’m going to buy this dress!”
By - identifying the agent performing an action
Ex: “She was sitting by the river.”
Bye - a shortened way to say goodbye
Ex: “Bye, I’ll see you next time.”
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7. Dear vs Deer
Dear - regarded with deep affection, cherished by someone
Ex: “My dear Evelyn, what would I do without you?”
Deer - the animal
Ex: “That deer sure is fast.”
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8. Desert vs Dessert
Desert - to abandon a person, cause, or organization in a way considered disloyal
Ex: “I’m going to have to desert you.”
Desert - arid land with sparse vegetation, usually consisting of a very warm climate
Ex: “This place is a desert!”
Dessert - the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal
Ex: “You may have some dessert.”
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9. Die vs Dye
Die - to stop living
Ex: “My fish is going to die.”
Dye - a natural or synthetic substance used to add color to something
Ex: “You’ve spilled the dye everywhere.”
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10. Effect vs Affect
Effect - a change which is result or consequence of an action or other cause
Ex: “The effects of radiation can be quite deadly.”
Affect - have an effect on; make a difference to
Ex: “That doesn’t affect me.”
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11. Grate vs Great
Grate - to reduce to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater
Ex: “Please grate those carrots.”
Great - of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average
Ex: “You are great at that!”
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12. Hear vs Here
Hear - to perceive sound
Ex: “I hear the birds chirping.”
Here - in, at, or to this place or position
Ex: “I’m here!”
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13. It’s vs Its
It’s - it is
Ex: “It’s sunny outside.”
Its - belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified
Ex: “Turn the camera on its side.”
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14. Meat vs Meet
Meat - the flesh of an animal as food
Ex: “This meat is undercooked.”
Meet - come into the presence or company of someone by chance or arrangement
Ex: “It’s so nice to meet you.”
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15. Pair vs Pear
Pair - a set of two things used together
Ex: “A pair of gloves.”
Pear - the fruit
Ex: “This pear is so juicy.”
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16. Peace vs Piece
Peace - freedom from disturbance; tranquility
Ex: “She finally found peace.”
Piece - a portion of an object or of material
Ex: “Have a piece of pie.”
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17. Seas vs Sees vs Seize
Seas - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface and surrounds its landmasses
Ex: “We will sail the seas.”
Sees - to perceive with the eyes
Ex: “He sees the flowers in the garden.”
Seize - take hold of suddenly and forcibly
Ex: “She seized his phone.”
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18. They’re vs Their vs There
They’re - they are
Ex: “They’re playing in the park.”
Their - belonging to or associated with previously mentioned things or people
Ex: “Some parents just let their children run wild.”
There - in, at, or to that place or position
Ex: “She is right there.”
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19. To vs Two vs Too
To - expressing motion in the direction of a specific location
Ex: “We are going to see a movie.”
Two - the sum of one and one; one less than three
Ex: “There’s two of them.”
Too - to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible; excessively
Ex: “That’s too much icing!”
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20. Ware vs Where
Ware - articles offered for sale
Ex: “She sold her wares down the street.”
Where - in or to what place or position
Ex: “Where have you been?”
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21. Weather vs Whether
Weather - the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, sunshine, dryness, wind, rain, etc.
Ex: “The weather is nice today.”
Whether - expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives
Ex: “He seemed undecided whether to go or stay.”
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22. Which vs Witch
Which - asking for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set
Ex: “Which dress should I get?”
Witch - a person thought to be evil and have magic powers
Ex: “Get that witch away from me!”
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23. Whose vs Who’s
Whose - that which belongs to someone
Ex: “Whose plate is this?”
Who’s - who is
Ex: “Who’s that?”
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24. Wood vs Would
Wood - the hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree
Ex: “This wood will make a perfect campfire.”
Would - past of will, in various senses
Ex: “You said you would.”
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Have you been mixing up these words? Now you know the difference!
