HOMOPHONES Which one do I use to?
THERE, THEIR, AND THEY RE There is a relative pronoun usually meaning location. Their is a possessive pronoun showing joint ownership. They re is a contraction of the words they are
USED IN A SENTENCE There is the book you want. Their dog is not very nice. They re going to go on vacation next week.
TO AND TOO To is a preposition or part of an infinitive form verb to the store to see to do to go Too is used for extremes or additions too hot, too cold, I want to go too!
ITS AND IT S its is the possessive pronoun form. The chair has lost its luster. it s is the contraction of it is It s nice of you to visit.
WERE AND WHERE Were is a verb form of be. They were here a minute ago. Where is an adverb indicating location. Where are my keys?
YOUR AND YOU RE Your is a possessive pronoun Where are your books? You re is a contraction for you are What do you mean you re joining a band?
STATIONARY AND STATIONERY Stationary~ means to stay in place The stationary bicycle is a way to exercise. Stationery~ is paper used for writing letters Melissa bought some expensive stationery to write letters on when she goes to camp this summer.
COMPLEMENT AND COMPLIMENT Compliment~ is praise given to someone or something My compliments to the chef for the exquisite dinner. Complement~ is used when two things go well together The brown shirt complemented Jack s outfit.
PRINCIPLE AND PRINCIPAL Principle~ list of qualities or attributes. The principle parts of a good essay are the introduction and conclusion. Principal~ is the person, or the top most important thing. The principal is your pal. The thesis statement is the principal part of your essay.
ACCEPT AND EXCEPT Accept~ means to receive or take Please accept my invitation to the ball. Except~ means to exclude You may eat all of the cookies except the Oreos.
CAPITOL AND CAPITAL Capitol ~ is the building Capital~ is everything else such as the city or money The Capitol is in the capital city, Nashville, and was built with state capital monies from Capital One Bank.
AFFECT AND EFFECT Affect~ is the verb to cause change or to influence This change will affect everyone. Effect~ is the noun meaning a result which has been brought about or the verb meaning to bring about or accomplish The effects of this change are shocking.
We will adopt a puppy from the shelter. ADAPT/ADOPT Adapt = change/alter The pandas will have adapt to their new habitat. Adopt = take on, accept
ADVICE/ADVISE Advice = guidance Don t ask me for advice; I just dumped my boyfriend. Advise = recommend I advise you to take Spanish as a junior so that you will have more mature study habits.
ALLUSION/ILLUSION Allusion = reference Did you recognize the allusion to The Bible in our story today? Illusion = fantasy The magician s illusion of sawing a person in half is so out of date.
ASSURE/ENSURE/INSURE Assure = promise Ensure = make sure Insure = guarantee I assure you that drinking Ensure while driving will not make you more expensive to insure.
CITE/SITE/SIGHT Cite = mention Remember to cite your sources when you do research. Site = location Report to the building site at 7:00. Sight = vision My sight is not as good as it was when I was younger.
COARSE/COURSE Coarse=crude, rough I do not like to wear coarse fabrics. Course=route, lessons I heard that Ms. McCarson s English course is tough.
COUNSEL/COUNCIL Counsel=advisor, committee I must seek legal counsel on this matter. Council=ruling body The town council will vote on the referendum tonight.
EMINENT/IMMINENT Eminent=well-known, prominent Today s lecture will be given by an eminent psychologist in the field. Imminent=coming up, looming Run! You are in imminent danger!
FARTHER/FURTHER Farther=beyond, past He ran farther than I did. Further=additional, advance I will need further detail about the matter before I make a decision.
FEWER/LESS Fewer=amounting to a small number Few students remain at the prom after the crowning of the king and queen. Less=not as great in amount, minus No fair, you gave me less than you gave him.
LOSE/LOOSE Lose=misplace, be beaten, evade Please, don t lose your class ring. Loose=wobbly, baggy, free My chair has a loose wheel. I will have to get Mr. Dillard to tighten it.
PRECEDE/PROCEED Precede=go before, come first Which movies precede Return of the King? Proceed=go on, continue Proceed to the gym. We are voting for Homecoming attendants today.