Its, It's, Their, There, They're: The Homophone Trap
Words that sound the same but are written differently. Quick tests to choose the right one every time.
Homophones are words that sound identical but have different spellings and meanings. Spell-check usually can't help, because each spelling is a real word. Here are the pairs (and trios) that cause the most trouble.
its / it's
- it's = it is / it has. It's raining. It's been a long day.
- its = belonging to it. The cat licked its paw.
Test: can you say it is or it has? Then write it's.
their / there / they're
- their = belonging to them. Their house is big.
- there = a place, or there is/are. Put it over there. There are three rooms.
- they're = they are. They're late again.
Test: can you say they are? → they're. Is it about owning something? → their. Otherwise → there.
your / you're
- your = belonging to you. Is this your bag?
- you're = you are. You're right.
then / than
- then = after that, at that time. We had lunch, then we went home.
- than = in comparisons. She's taller than me.
to / too / two
- to = direction, or before a verb. I went to Paris to see a friend.
- too = also, or more than necessary. Me too. It's too hot.
- two = 2.
whose / who's
- whose = belonging to whom. Whose phone is this?
- who's = who is / who has. Who's coming?
lose / loose
Not exactly homophones, but often confused:
- lose (verb) = not find, not win. Don't lose your keys.
- loose (adjective) = not tight. These trousers are loose.
When you edit, search your text for each of these words. It takes thirty seconds and catches errors that even good writers make when they type quickly.
Quick practice
Fill in the gaps, then check.
- The cat licked paw.
- going to be late. (they are)
- Is this bag?
- I left my keys over .
- been raining all day. (it has)