Cavanah, ENG 9 Inclement Weather DAY 9 HOMOPHONES CONFUSING WORDS Review/Study Info

Cavanah, ENG 9 Inclement Weather DAY 9 HOMOPHONES & CONFUSING WORDS -- Review/Study Info PART 1 DIRECTIONS: STUDY these sets of some of the most commonly confused and misused words in the English language. Some are used at the wrong time because they are homophones that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Others are confused because they sound similar and/or are spelled similarly. NOTICE the difference in meaning for each set of confusing words. THEN ... Do the two PRACTICE EXERCISES on the back for a grade. GROUP 1 : These HOMOPHONES are often misused because they are pronounced the same , but have different spellings and different meanings/usages : its – a possessive pronoun, meaning “ belonging to it” it’s – contraction for “it is” (or sometimes “it has”) their – a possessive pronoun, meaning “ belonging to them” they’re – contraction for “they are” there – a place (“He is there.”) and/or a word introducing a sentence in weak order (“There are several ways...”) who’s – a contraction for “who is” (The man who’s walking this way is my dad.) whose – a possessive pronoun; means “belonging to who” (The little boy, whose dog got ran over, was crying.) your – a possessive pronoun, meaning “ belonging to you” (That is your coat.) you’re - a contraction for “you are” (You’re a sweet girl!) to – a preposition, expressing motion toward a location; Can begin an infinitive phrase (I like to run.) too – an adverb, meaning “more than enough” (too much, too hot, etc.); Can mean “also” (I’m participating, too.) two – a number whether – a conjunction, often used in place of “IF,” when referring to a choice or alternative (I don’t know whether I’m right or not.) weather – refers to climate ... like rain, snow, etc.

GROUP 2: The following words are often confused because of similar pronunciations and/or similar spellings , but have very different meanings : accept – a verb; to agree to receive; to choose to believe (I accept your proposal.) except – a preposition; means “not including,” “other than” (I like everything about the outfit, except the shoes.) affect – a verb; “to affect” means “to change, to influence, or to have impact on something” (The insult affected her mood.) effect – almost always a noun; means “a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause” (The effect is lasting.) could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, must ’ve, etc. – contractions for “could have,” “should have,” “would have,” “must have,” etc. NOT “ could of,” “ should of,” “ would of,” etc. – THERE IS NO SUCH THING! (Of just sounds like ’ve, the contraction for have.) idea – a thought or suggestion (That was a bad idea!) ideal – a standard, expectation, or thing regarded as perfect (He had very high ideals.) farther – use when referring to physically traveling a length or distance (I can’t walk any farther . ( Think of the word “far .”) further – use when referring to time or amount; means “to a great extent” or “additionally” (I can’t explain it any further.) then – an adverb, meaning “at that time” ; Sometimes used for “next” in time than - a preposition, used in comparisons (He is taller than his brother.) ; Also a conjunction that can be used with other words – like rather than, other than were - a helping verb or “state of being” linking verb (They were tired, so they were sleeping late.) where – adverb, refers to a location/place (Memory trick: Where is the “h”?) woman – one adult female ...NOTICE the end spelling, same as “man” women – plural of “woman”; more than one adult female ... NOTICE the end spelling, same as “men”

Do the PRACTICE EXERCISE on the back of this page for a grade! (See Review/Study Info on reverse side) Cavanah, ENG 9 Inclement Weather - Day 9 NAME: ______Pd: ___ HOMOPHONES & CONFUSING WORDS EXERCISE 1 -- DIRECTIONS: In each set of confusing words (shown underlined and in bold), circle the correct word to fit the meaning of the sentence.

1) Officials didn’t know how much the news would affect / effect everyone, but the affects / effects were widespread.

2) If your/you’re hungry, then/than get something to eat at the restaurant over their/they’re/there while it’s/its still open.

3) Weather/Whether we go to the beach or not depends on the weather/whether.

4) The frozen cappuccino sat forgotten on the table. Its/It’s sweating cup formed a ring on the polished wood.

5) I don’t know weather/whether it will rain or be sunny this weekend.

6) The cockroaches are very happy since its/it’s been over a week since Tommy has washed dishes or taken out the trash.

7) Francisco decided against a golden retriever puppy as its , it’s thick coat of long fur would be a vacuuming nightmare.

8) If you have more money then/than I do, then/than will you please pay for dinner this time, since it/it’s really

your/ you’re turn to/too/two do it anyway?

9) The weather/whether in Spain is better then/than in England.

10) No one knows weather/whether its/it’s cloudy outside or its/it’s just getting dark already.

11) There / their / they’re is only one woman/women in the woman’s/women’s bathroom.

12) Who’s / Whose missing there / their / they’re copy of the book? Its / It’s on my desk.

13) Who’s/Whose suitcases were / where left at the hotel?

14) I would like to discuss it farther / further with the all the woman / women who were / where at the meeting – accept / except I don’t know who all was there / their / they’re.

15) There / their / they’re not sure who’s / whose going to / too/ two be there / their/ they’re other then / than

there /their/ they’re family.

16) I did all my homework last night, accept / except the last page of math problems.

17) How much farther / further did you travel this year for vacation?

18) Were / Where do you think they were / where going?

19) You should of / should’ve looked both ways before you crossed the street! You could of / could’ve been killed!

20) Please accept / except my apology.

EXERCISE 2 -- DIRECTIONS: On your own piece of paper (which you will attach to this page), write 10 original sentences correctly using each of these 10 words: affect, their, it’s, whether, than, whose, further, except, should’ve, and too.