Mixed up homophones are some of the most common mistakes I come across as an editor. Some writers, and non-writers who find themselves writing for work or school, don’t have a firm grasp on homophones and aren’t aware of the differences between a homophone and a homonym or that there’s a third option—a homograph. Let’s go over them.
What They Are
Homophones
Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
Berry/Bury
Add a berry or two to the top of the cheesecake to make it look nice.
Bury the time capsule in the town square.
Not/Knot
I am not happy right now.
Can you help me undo this knot?
Muscle/Mussel
Start lifting weights if you want to build more muscle.
I don’t like seafood, so I’ve never eaten a mussel.
Him/Hymn
I’m so happy to see him.
They sang a hymn in church today.
Morning/Mourning
The birdsong filled the morning air.
For Victorian widows, the mourning period lasted two full years.
Homographs
Homographs are words that are spelled the same but are different in pronunciation and meaning.
Lead/Lead
Lead the way!
Paint with lead in it was banned for residential use in 1978.
(Don’t mix this up with led which is the past tense of lead, meaning He led the way.)
Bow/Bow
Tie a bow on the present, please.
Men who meet the royal family are expected to bow; women curtsy.
Minute/Minute
Give me a minute to tie my shoelaces.
The difference between the lab samples was minute.
Wind/Wind
Wind the clock.
The wind whistled through the eaves.
Homonyms
There is more than one definition for homonyms.
One definition is that homonyms are words that are spelled the same and pronounced the same but have different meanings.
Lie/Lie
I need to lie down.
I told a little white lie, so what?
According to some sources, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford Dictionaries, the word “homonym” is defined as an overarching category that includes homophones and homographs, meaning the words can either be pronounced the same way with different meanings and spellings or be spelled the same with different meanings and pronunciations, but don’t have to be the same in both spelling and pronunciation.
In all honesty, it is not terribly important that you remember the definitions for homophones/homographs/homonyms. What’s important is that you watch for the homophones in your own writing. Because they are spelled differently and carry different meanings, homophones present the most opportunity for writers to make mistakes. Make sure you know which ones you’re using in your writing.
Here are ten commonly mixed up homophones that you need to watch for:
Affect/Effect
Affect is used as a verb and effect is used as a noun. To remember that, remember A for Action and Alteration and E is for End Result.
The snow affects their ability to drive.
Bad roads were only one of the snow’s effects.
Accept/Except
Accept means to willingly receive or take something
Except means excluding or other than
He accepted the criticism with grace.
I have that shirt in every color except yellow.
Brake/Break
Brake is a device used to stop something.
Break is verb that means has a lot of meanings: to separate into two or more pieces, make inoperable, violate (as in breaking the law), or stop or bring to a halt, etc.
I need new brakes in my car.
I need a break from work.
Don’t break the fine china!
He got arrested for breaking the law.
Compliment/Complement
Compliment means “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration”
Complement means “something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect” OR “the full quantity, number, or assortment needed or included”
That nice woman just complimented my necklace.
The necklace really complements the dress.
For/Four
For is used to indicate purpose
Four refers to the number 4
The sugar is for the frosting.
I need four more cupcakes for the class.
I work for four more hours, then I can go out.
Here/Hear
Here means in or at this place
Hear is to listen, to perceive or become aware of by ear
I can’t hear anything in my headphones.
Kick the soccer ball over here.
Than/Then
Than is the second part of a comparison
Then is used to indicate time and means “at that time” or “soon after” or “next in order of time”
Her outfit is better than mine.
I have to blow dry my hair, then I’ll start my makeup.
Our/Hour
Our means “of or relating to us or ourselves or ourself especially as possessors or possessor, agents or agent, or objects or object of an action”
Hour is a measure of time equal to 60 minutes.
That’s our car over there.
The movie is two hours long.
There/Their/They’re
Ah! Perhaps the most mixed up homophones of all—the dreaded their/they’re/there confusion.
Their is a pronoun like his/hers.
Have you been to their house?
They’re is the contraction of they are.
They’re standing right here.
There has many uses, but is most often used as an adverb meaning “in or at that place” or as a pronoun to introduce a clause.
Pronoun: There’s a cat on the couch.
Adverb: Move the cat over there.
Your/You’re
Your indicates possession.
Where are your shoes?
You’re is a contraction of you are
You’re so pretty!
Being aware of what homophones most commonly trip writers (and everybody) up will help you avoid them in your own work. Watch closely for these words and remember, mistakes happen. Every writer needs a second pair of eyes on their work to make sure it’s free of errors, and a professional editor is the best way to ensure the quality of your work.
Theirs no excuse for these types of mistakes to remain in you’re writing, weather your a grammar whiz or knot.
(See what I did there? Isn’t it awful and distracting?)
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