Homophones are words that sound the same in speech but have different spellings and meanings. In English, homophones are common because many different spellings can represent the same sounds. This module focuses on how to tell homophones apart by using meaning, grammar, and typical sentence patterns rather than pronunciation alone.

English spelling does not always match pronunciation, so two different spellings can produce the same spoken form. When you hear a homophone, you must choose the correct spelling based on what the sentence is about and what kind of word is needed. Listening gives you the sound, but the surrounding words tell you the role and meaning.

Rule	Description	Notation	Example
Many spellings share one sound	Different letter patterns can produce the same pronunciation, creating homophones.	same pronunciation, different spelling	meet and meat
Weak vowels increase similarity	Unstressed vowels often reduce to a neutral sound, making different words sound alike.	schwa in unstressed syllables	affect and effect in fast speech
Final consonants can merge	Some final sounds are subtle, so words can be confused when spoken quickly.	reduced final release	passed and past

The safest way to choose among homophones is to check meaning: what is the sentence trying to say. Ask a simple question like who, what, where, or why, then pick the word that matches that idea. If you can replace the word with a synonym, that synonym can confirm which homophone you need.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
right	correct or a direction	The answer is right.
write	to put words on paper or a screen	Please write your name.
one	the number 1	I have one ticket.
won	past tense of win	She won the match.

Homophones often belong to different parts of speech, so grammar helps you choose. Check whether the slot needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, and then pick the homophone that fits that grammatical role. Function words like articles, prepositions, and auxiliaries strongly predict what type of word comes next.

Rule	Example
After an article, a noun is likely	a piece of advice
After to plus base verb, choose a verb form	to write a letter
Before a noun, an adjective is likely	their car
After a subject, a verb is likely	they’re leaving

There, their, and they’re sound alike for many speakers, but they do different jobs in a sentence. There is used for location or as an introductory word before a verb. Their shows possession, and they’re is the contraction of they are, so it must be followed by something that fits after are.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
there	location or introductory word	The keys are over there.
their	belonging to them	Their house is big.
they’re	they are	They’re ready now.

Your and you’re are frequently confused because they share the same pronunciation in most accents. Your is a possessive determiner used before a noun, while you’re is the contraction of you are and is followed by an adjective, noun phrase, or verb form that can follow are. A quick test is to expand you’re to you are and see if the sentence still makes sense.

Rule	Example
Use your before a noun	Your phone is ringing.
Use you’re for you are	You’re late again.
Expansion test: replace you’re with you are	You are welcome.

Its and it’s are confusing because the apostrophe does not mark possession here. Its is possessive and means belonging to it, while it’s is a contraction of it is or it has. If you can expand it’s to it is or it has, then the apostrophe form is correct.

Rule	Example
Use its for possession	The dog wagged its tail.
Use it’s for it is	It’s cold today.
Use it’s for it has	It’s been a long day.

Then relates to time, sequence, or result, while than is used for comparisons. In speech they may sound similar, especially in fast conversation, but their meanings are different. Look for comparison words like more, less, -er adjectives, or phrases like rather, because those usually require than.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
then	time or next step	Finish, then call me.
than	comparison	She is taller than me.

To, too, and two are pronounced the same in many contexts, but each has a distinct function. To is most often a preposition or the marker before a base verb. Too means also or excessively, and two is the number 2, so it typically appears near countable nouns or number-related phrases.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
to	preposition or verb marker	I want to go.
too	also or excessively	I want to go too.
2️⃣ two	2️⃣ the number 2	2️⃣ Two tickets, please.

Hear is a verb connected to listening and sound, while here is an adverb connected to location. They are fully homophonous for most speakers, so spelling must come from meaning. If the sentence is about sound, choose hear; if it is about place, choose here.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
hear	perceive sound	Can you hear music?
here	in this place	Put it here.

To avoid homophone errors in writing, use a deliberate check: pause at the word, confirm its part of speech, and run a quick meaning test. Expanding contractions like they’re, you’re, and it’s often reveals mistakes immediately. Reading the sentence slowly and focusing on meaning rather than sound helps you notice when a homophone does not fit the grammar or the message.

Rule	Example
Check part of speech before choosing spelling	Their is followed by a noun: their plan
Expand contractions to confirm meaning	It’s raining → It is raining
Look for comparison signals for than	better than, more than
Look for time signals for then	then, next, after that