Homophones · Year 2
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: see and sea, to, too and two. When you listen you can't tell them apart, so when you write you must think about the meaning to choose the right spelling.
Key facts
- there is a place (over there) or starts there is; their means belonging to them (their coats); they're is short for they are.
- to shows direction or comes before a verb (go to school, to swim); too means also or more than is good (too hot); two is the number 2.
- your means belonging to you; you're is short for you are. its means belonging to it; it's is short for it is or it has.
- An apostrophe test: if you can say the two full words (they are, you are, it is), write the short form with the apostrophe.
- Memory tricks help: you hear with your ear; stationery has e for envelopes; a piece of pie.
Worked examples
Example 1
Choose there, their or they're: The children put on ___ coats.
Answer: their: The children put on their coats.
Example 2
Choose to, too or two: This tea is ___ hot to drink.
Answer: too: This tea is too hot to drink.
Example 3
Choose its or it's: ___ raining, so take an umbrella.
Answer: It's: It's raining, so take an umbrella.
Example 4
Find and correct the mistake: I can here the birds singing.
Answer: I can hear the birds singing.