Homophones

Sound the sameSpelled different

Have different meanings

Homophones

• When we pick up a “telephone,” we are listening to someone talk.

• The suffix “phone” means sound.• The prefix “homo” means the same.• When you put homo+phone together, you get

“homophone.”• Homophones are words that sound the same, but have

different spellings and meanings.

Which do I use?

• The words they’re, there, and their are homophones.

• They sound the same, but are spelled different and mean different things.

They’re

• The word they’re is a contraction for the two words “they are.”

• They are riding bicycles.• They’re riding bicycles.

There• The word “there” means in that place.

• Europe has a snowy winter. It is very frosty over there during winter months.

Their• The word their is a pronoun for a group.

• The women’s clothes are very colorful.• Their clothes are very colorful.• Their is a pronoun for the women.

So when you want to choose between they’re, there, and their…

• Ask yourself:– Do I want to say “they are?” (they’re)– They’re having fun playing the board games.– Do I want to say “in that place?” (there)– The last time I saw my keys, they were over there.– Do I want to use “a pronoun for a group?” (their)– Did their dad give them permission to go

swimming?

Let’s practice.

• We will read the sentence and choose the correct word: they’re, there, or their.

1. Mr. Lohde is walking over ______ right now.2. I don’t know if ______ coming to Saturday

school.3. I think _______ mom let them walk home

together.

Copy the sentences and use the correct word: they’re, there, or their

1. I hope ______ teacher next year will make math fun.

2. I found this dollar bill out ______ on the yard.3. If _________ cold outside, then they should

take sweaters.4. Juan said ________ backpacks were left

outside.

The words “your” and “you’re” are also homophones

• The word “your” means something that belongs to that person

• Is that your backpack?• The word “you’re” is a contraction for the two

words “your are”• You’re going to room 3. • You are going to room 3.

Is it “your” or “you’re”

• Are _______ parents coming to the conference?• your• Which one is ______ dog?• your• Raise _____ hand if _______ going to come on

Saturday.• Raise your hand if you’re going to come on

Saturday.