Vocabulary
Homophones
Choose the right word when two words sound the same.
Some words sound exactly alike and mean quite different things. Say flour and flower aloud: your mouth cannot tell them apart, and only the spelling can. Words like that are called homophones, and choosing between them is a matter of meaning, never of sound.
There, their, they're
There is a place — over there. Their shows who something belongs to — their coats. They're is the short way of writing they are — they're early.
Your and you're
Your goes in front of something that belongs to you — your bag, your turn. You're is the short way of writing you are — you're early. If "you are" does not fit in the gap, the word you want is your.
Its and it's
This pair breaks the apostrophe rule you were taught. Its shows belonging — the cat licked its paws. It's is the short way of writing it is — it's raining. Say "it is" instead; if the sentence still works, you want it's.
The test that always works
Do not listen to the word — say what it means instead. Read the sentence with the long form, or with the meaning spelled out, and only one of the twins will still make sense.
Worked example
Which word fits? "The children left ____ shoes at the door."
Try "they are": The children left they are shoes at the door.
That is nonsense, so it is not they're.
Try it together
Let us choose between three pairs of twins.
Each answer is one word, taken from the two offered. Say what the sentence means before you decide.
1.Which word means a plant's bloom — "flour" or "flower"? Write the word.
Have a go
Choose the right word: ____ too dark to play outside.
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.