Usage: Homophones

English Language Arts, Grade 4

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When you write, using the correct words helps your reader to understand what you’re saying. Here are some words that give people problems in their writing. Your and You’re The word your is a possessive pronoun. Use your to show that something is owned. I think that your coat is in the closet. (The coat belongs to the person being spoken to.) The word you’re is a contraction for you are. Use you’re only when you can substitute you are in a sentence. Tina said you’re going to the concert next week. Its and It’s The word its is the possessive form of it. Use its to show that something is owned. My dog injured its paw. (The dog owns the paw.) The word it’s is a contraction for it is. Use it’s only when you can substitute it is in a sentence. It’s too bad that it’s raining on our picnic. There, Their, and They’re The word there is an adverb that means “in that place” or “at that point in time.” There used to be a deli on that corner. (At another point in time, a deli was on that corner.) The word their is a possessive pronoun. Use their to show that more than one person owns something. Their house is the yellow one on the right. The word they’re is a contraction for the words they are. Use they’re only when you can substitute they are in the sentence. Phil thinks that they’re coming to visit this Saturday. Were and We’re The word were is a past tense verb. Where were you last night? The word we’re is a contraction for we are. Use we’re only when you can substitute we are in a sentence. Dad said we’re leaving in 15 minutes. Duke Usage: Commonly Confused Words Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4087
7. You can’t ride that bike because ____________ back tire is flat. (its/it’s) Write the correct word to finish the sentence. 1. If you find ___________ too difficult, give me a call, and I’ll help you. (its/it’s) 2. Grandpa said _________________ going into high school next year. (your/you’re) 8. __________________ you at the end of the line? (Were, We’re) 5. I saw _________________ cat stalking a squirrel in my yard yesterday. (there/their/they’re) 4. Having too much ice on _________________ roof can damage a building. (your/you’re) 6. Leila said she put the fabric over _________________ on the shelf. (there/their/they’re) 9. Where did you buy __________________ hat? (your/you’re) 3. Come through the gate; _________________ in the backyard. (were, we’re) 10. When did __________________ package arrive? (your/you’re) 11. Saturday ________________ throwing a party at ________________ cabin. (there/their/they’re) (there/their/they’re) 12. I heard _____________ going to rain this afternoon. (its/it’s) M 2 M2 C 1 GHI PQRS Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4087 Usage: Commonly Confused Words