pupil practising using homophones
Language Skills

Homophones

Want to improve your understanding of homophones and become a more confident writer? These exercises will help you develop your skills.

Definition

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Although the words “bare” and “bear” have the same pronunciation, they have very different definitions, so it is important to pay attention to spelling to make sure your message is clear and accurate.

One of the most common homophones students find confusing is the difference between “their”, “there”, and “they’re”. The following exercises might help.

Exercise One

­­­­­­­­Choose the right word for each sentence:

  1. Go to the shop, Mark. I need three kilos (of/off) sugar.
  2. She was born on the 21st (of/off) July in New York.
  3. The plane took (of/off) when the weather got better.
  4. When did you buy this milk? It tastes a bit (of/off).
  5. There were a lot (of/off) people standing in line.
  6. Shops where you can buy alcohol are called (of/off)- licence.
  7. He broke (of/off) the engagement last month.
  8. We’re going to reach the top (of/off) the hill.
  9. They live in a block (of/off) flats on this street.
  10. The owner of the hotel earns less money during the (of/off) season.
  11. This is my first visit (to/too/two) Australia.
  12. The second hamburger was (to/too) much for me.
  13. I usually go (to/too) school at 10 (to/too/two) 8.
  14. May I borrow this book for a week or (to/too/two)?
  15. We have been (to/too/two) Rome and (to/too/two) Milan, (to/too/two).
  16. This pizza is (to/too/two) hot (to/too/two) eat.
  17. My mum has lost the keys (to/too/two) our house.
  18. It’s (to/too/two) late (to/too/two) play computer games now.
  19. The score at the end of the match was (to/too/two) one.
  20. I’m going (to/too/two) a party tonight. Would you like (to/too/two) come (to/too/two)?
  21. This homework has lost (its/it’s) appeal.
  22. The cat found (its/it’s) way home.
  23. When the movie is good, (its/it’s) really good.
  24. (There/Their) is only one question left.
  25. They think (its/it’s) all over. It is now.

Exercise Two

  1. You’re not (allowed/aloud) to play music in your room late at night.
  2. Wheat is ground into (flour/flower) for making bread.
  3. Matthew’s as mad as a March (hair/hare).
  4. Why don’t you come to (hour/our) house for dinner?
  5. The beautiful maiden was rescued by a (knight/night) in shining armour.
  6. No (one/won) won the match. It was a draw.
  7. Why don’t you save your photos to the cloud? It’s a (peace/piece) of cake.
  8. Katie was 18 the first time she saw the (sea/see).
  9. I think I need glasses. My (sight/site) isn’t as sharp as it was.
  10. The frame was made from (steal/steel).
  11. Have you seen (their/there) new red sports car?
  12. He kicked the ball (threw/through) the window.
  13. Those stupid revision books are a (waist/waste) of time and money.
  14. I (warn/worn) you. Don’t forget your homework.
  15. The (brake/break) doesn’t work on the car.
  16. I spotted a (dear/deer) in the woods.
  17. My brother has stolen my last (sweet/suite).
  18. (There/their) is chewing gum on the (sole/soul) of my shoe.
  19. The (son/sun) is shining.
  20. When shall we three (meat/meet) again?
  21. Do you (no/know) anything about the missing hamster?
  22. (Break/Brake) is at 10.20am.
  23. She (threw/through) a tantrum.
  24. (Their/There) is only one more question to complete.
  25. Is a (so/sow) a male or a female pig?

Suggested Answers

  1. Go to the shop, Mark. I need three kilos of sugar.
  2. She was born on the 21st of July in New York.
  3. The plane took off when the weather got better.
  4. When did you buy this milk? It tastes a bit off.
  5. There were a lot of people standing in line.
  6. Shops where you can buy alcohol are called off licence.
  7. He broke off the engagement last month.
  8. We’re going to reach the top of the hill.
  9. They live in a block of flats on this street.
  10. The owner of the hotel earns less money during the off season.
  11. This is my first visit to Australia.
  12. The second hamburger was too much for me.
  13. I usually go to school at 10 to 8.
  14. May I borrow this book for a week or two?
  15. We have been to Rome and to Milan, too.
  16. This pizza is too hot to eat.
  17. My mum has lost the keys to our house.
  18. It’s too late to play computer games now.
  19. The score at the end of the match was two one.
  20. I’m going to a party tonight. Would you like to come too?
  21. This homework has lost its appeal.
  22. The cat found its way home.
  23. When the movie is good, it’s really good.
  24. There is only one question left.
  25. They think it’s all over. It is now.
  1. You’re not allowed to play music in your room late at night.
  2. Wheat is ground into flour for making bread.
  3. Matthew’s as mad as a March hare.
  4. Why don’t you come to our house for dinner?
  5. The beautiful maiden was rescued by a knight in shining armour.
  6. No one won the match. It was a draw.
  7. Why don’t you save your photos to the cloud? It’s a piece of cake.
  8. Katie was 18 the first time she saw the sea.
  9. I think I need glasses. My sight isn’t as sharp as it was.
  10. The frame was made from steel.
  11. Have you seen their new red sports car?
  12. He kicked the ball through the window.
  13. Those stupid revision books are a waste of time and money.
  14. I warn you. Don’t forget your homework.
  15. The brake doesn’t work on the car.
  16. I spotted a deer in the woods.
  17. My brother has stolen my last sweet.
  18. There is chewing gum on the sole of my shoe.
  19. The sun is shining.
  20. When shall we three meet again?
  21. Do you know anything about the missing hamster?
  22. Break is at 10.20am.
  23. She threw a tantrum.
  24. There is only one more question to complete.
  25. Is a sow a male or a female pig?

Learn More

Thanks for Reading!