12 Commonly Confused Homophones + Notes / Video / Podcast
Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different spelling.
They’re a great way to improve your pronunciation, especially for words that may be confusing or hard to remember.
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For example, did you know these words sound the same?
FOR / FOUR = fɔr
WON / ONE = wʌn
BALD / BAWLED = bɔld
BLEW / BLUE = blu
CEREAL / SERIAL = ˈsɪ — ri — əl
CLOTHES / CLOSE (noun/verb) = kloʊz
CITE / SITE / SIGHT = saɪt
Check out these examples from my fabulous Instagram followers:
ALLOWED / ALOUD = ə — ˈlaʊd
Examples:
- I wasn’t allowed to read it aloud.
- Singing aloud is not allowed.
- It’s not allowed to speak aloud in here.
Common Mistakes:
- Original: My mother allowed to sing a song aloud.
Corrected: My mother allowed us to sing a song aloud. - Original: He don’t allowed me to speak aloud.
Corrected: He doesn’t allow me to speak aloud. - Original: You’re not allowed to be aloud in from of your elders.
Corrected: You’re not allowed to speak aloud in front of your elders.
Bonus: Aloud or Out Loud?
WHICH / WITCH = wɪʧ
Examples:
- Which witch are you talking about?
- The witch wore a black dress which had feathers on it.
- Which witch do you like?
Common Mistakes:
- Original: Yesterday, I saw a witch which hadn’t got any broom
Corrected: Yesterday, I saw a witch that didn’t have a broom. - Original: Which witch did you prefer from your childhood cartoons?
Corrected: Who was your favorite witch from your childhood cartoons? - Original: Which witch that you scared the most of?
Corrected: Which witch are you the most scared of?
YOU’RE / YOUR
Examples:
- You’re your own hero.
- You’re so nice like your mother.
- You’re never too old to follow your dreams.
Common Mistakes:
- Original: You’re looking for your brother, don’t you?
Corrected: You’re looking for your brother, aren’t you? - Original: You’re very protective with your child.
Corrected: You’re very protective of your child. - Original: Always they tell me you’re exactly like your mom.
Corrected: They always say, “You’re exactly like your mom.” / They always tell me that I’m exactly like my mom.
TO / TOO / TWO
Examples:
- They are too young to have two degrees.
- It is too hard to find two people with the same interests.
- To have two lovers is too hard to handle.
Common Mistakes:
- Original: Those two guys are going to the home too!
Corrected: Those two guys are going home too! - Original: These two guys went to the same school that I went too.
Corrected: These two guys went to the same school that I went to. / These two guys went to the same school that I went to too. - Original: I have too much words to speak, but my two sisters don’t allow me.
Corrected: I have too much to say, but my two sisters don’t allow me to speak. / I have too many things to say, that’s why my two sisters don’t allow me to speak.
THEIR / THERE / THEY’RE
Examples:
- They’re very happy there with their games.
- They’re waiting for their food there.
- Their home is so big, and there are seven rooms, but they’re always in the living room.
Common Mistakes:
- Original: Their car is over there and they’re really bad in parking.
Corrected: Their car is over there, and they’re really bad at parking - Original: Three of my friend are going to travel with their familys.
Corrected: Three of my friends are going to travel with their families. - Original: They all are standing there with their bags.
Corrected: They’re all standing there with their bags.
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