Name: Date: Homonyms, Synonyms, & Oh My! The English language is made up of a large number of words that have confusing meanings, pronunciations, and spellings. Trying to understand these words can be a daunting task. Let s look at some of the basic distinctions: Homonyms: words that sound the same but have different meanings. Synonyms: words that sound different but have similar meanings. words that are the direct opposite of one another. In addition to these categories, here are some of the most commonly misused words in the English language: Accept - to take something that is offered - to permit entry Except - not including - if it were not for the fact that - to believe to be true or correct - to say yes to Affect - to have an influence on - to cause a change Effect - something brought about by a cause Its - relating to or belonging to It s - a contraction of it is - a contraction of it has No - a negative used to express dissent, denial, or refusal, as in response to a question or request - not in any degree or manner Know - to have an understanding or clear perception of something - to be cognizant or aware of some fact, circumstance, or occurrence
Principal - first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc. (eg., the head of a school) Principle - an accepted or perceived rule of action or conduct - a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived Stationary - standing still; not moving Stationery - writing materials, as pens, pencils, paper, and envelopes There - in reference to a place, whether concrete or abstract Their - an indication of possession They re - a contraction of they are To - a preposition that primarily indicates approach and arrival; motion made in the direction of a place or thing - opposite of from Too - also - in excess Two - the number Weather - a noun applying to atmospheric conditions (eg., temperature; precipitation; etc.) Whether - a conjunction used to introduce possibilities or alternatives Whose - relating to or belonging to whom or which Who s - a contraction of who is - a contraction of who has Your - belonging to or relating to You re - a contraction of the words you are
Practice! Based on the definitions of commonly misused words, determine which word makes sense in each of the following sentences. 1. Did you her apology? Accept & Except 2. I would go to the concert, I don t like loud music. 3. I responsibility for my mistakes. 4. Everyone in the classroom liked the book him. Affect & Effect 1. They are suffering from the of the hurricane. 2. Did the hurricane your city? 3. Her lecture had a good on the children. 4. Her goal was to change in education. 1. a small, small world. 2. Everything is in place. Its & It s 3. been a long time since I saw you last. 4. Don t judge a book by cover. 1. in first place? Who s & Whose 2. These are the people names start with A. 3. been to Florida before? 4. Do you know team you re on? 1. If ready, let s go. 2. Where is dog? You re & Your 3. the person I ve been waiting for. 4. jeans are very stylish.
1. There are wheels on a bike. 2. Let s go the store. 3. I want some ice cream,. 4. He loves watch hockey. 5. Your ipod is playing loudly. 6. Is this the key the door? 1. I the answer to the question! To, Two, & Too No & Know 2. There is reason why I can t go. 3. Do you how hard the test will be? 4., I don t want to buy your book. 1. The called me into her office. Principal & Principle 2. Telling the truth is an important. 3. He was the character in the play. 4. It s the of the matter! Stationary & Stationery 1. Please remain during O Canada. 2. I bought printed with unicorns for only $5! 3. Riding a bike is great exercise. 4. The office needs to buy new supplies. Whether & Weather 1. The changes so suddenly from summer to fall. 2. I don t know to buy chocolate or vanilla ice cream. 3. You need to finish your homework you like it or not. 4. It looks like we re going to have to brave the this weekend at camp it s supposed to snow!
Name: Date: Definitions: THE THREE LITTLE PIGS (OR SOMETHING LIKE IT) TASK: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate there, their, or they re. There Their They re Once upon a time, were three little pigs. was Curly, Wurly, and Flo. They lived with mother in an apartment building in Grande Prairie. One day, Mama Pig sent the three pigs to the store to buy apples for dinner. She gave them a list of items that she needed. She also gave them allowance, and she told them that they could buy favourite candy, which they would eat for dessert. The three pigs put on jackets (it was winter). Curly and Wurly were ready and waiting for sister. She could not find her boots. "Curly and Wurly," she said, "have you seen my boots?" Curly and Wurly looked at each other and then they looked at sister. "I ll tell you where they are," said Wurly, "if you ll give us your allowance to hold while you go and get them." "Okay," agreed Flo as she handed the boys her allowance. " are your boots, over " said Curly. "Where?" asked Flo suspiciously. "Over!" squealed the boys as they pointed to the window in living room. " over, behind that curtain." Flo slowly walked toward the window. They boys followed closely behind sister. Just as she reached the window, Curly opened the window and Wurly pushed Flo through! Curly and Wurly were thrilled that plan worked. They were rid of Flo, and they had her money! Luckily for Flo, she landed on a huge pile of snow and was not hurt. Her brothers, however, were not so fortunate. Mama Pig heard the commotion, ran into the living room, and when she realized what they had done, sent the boys to live with Uncle Oscar Meyer. Uncle Oscar always knew what to do with bad little pigs. Flo and Mama Pig still live on the 7 th floor of the apartment building in Grande Prairie, and very happy. Now Flo gets her brothers allowances, since not.