Spelling: Homophones and Commonly Confused Words (their/there/they're, affect/effect)

Spelling Double Trouble: Words That Sound the Same

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. They can be tricky, even for native English speakers! Here are some common ones to watch out for:

1. Their / They’re / There

• Their: Shows possession (belonging to).

  • Example: It’s their house.

• They’re: A contraction of “they are.”

  • Example: They’re going to the park.

• There: Indicates a place.

  • Example: The book is over there.

Trick to Remember:

• Their: Has the word “heir” in it, which means someone who inherits things (ownership).
• They’re: The apostrophe (‘) stands in for the missing “a” in “are.”
• There: Think of the word “here” – both indicate a place.

2. Affect / Effect

• Affect (verb): To influence or cause a change in something.

  • Example: The rain affected the baseball game.

• Effect (noun): The result or consequence of something.

  • Example: The effect of the rain was a cancelled game.

Trick to Remember:

• RAVEN: Remember Remember, Affect Verb, Effect Noun.

Let’s Practice!

1. Fill in the blanks:

   • Please put the books over _________. (there)
   • The new law will _________ how people drive. (affect)
   • __________ planning a party for their friend. (They’re)
   • What are the side _________ of this medicine? (effects)

2. Correct the Mistakes:

   • There dog is very friendly.
   • The weather effected my mood.
   • Their going to the beach.
   • Your welcome!

Challenge!

Write a short story using all three forms of “their/they’re/there” and both “affect” and “effect.”

Remember:

These are just a few examples of tricky words. When in doubt, use a dictionary or look up the word online!