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.

ADAPT/ADOPT

Adapt = change/alter

The pandas will have adapt to their

new habitat.

Adopt = take on, accept

We will adopt a puppy from the

shelter.

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.