1. Frequently confused words?
your
you’re
then
than
buy
bye by
there
their
they’re
Frequently confused words? to
too
two
where
were
wear
life
live
accept
except
loose
lose
its
it’s
Frequently and Commonly Confused Words

2. Frequently Confused Words
There are many words in our English language that are spelled the same, sound the exact same, but have different meanings. Ex: pitcher, pitcher Then, there are many words in our language that sound exactly alike, but are spelled differently. Ex: knight, night Then, there are words that do not have the same spelling, pronunciation, or meaning, but are often confusing words to write. Ex: life, live
These are YOUR frequently confused words!

3. There, Their, and They’re
There: At or in that place. (HINT: There has the word HERE inside of it: Remember, there is at or in that place)
Look over there for your keys!
Their: Possessive Pronoun: belonging to them. With their, people own something:
They drove their car to the store.
They’re: They’re is a contraction: They are. When using they’re, see if it works by separating the contraction into “they are.”
They’re getting ready for school.
They are getting ready for school.

4. Its and It’s
Its
It’s
Its is tricky, because it is showing ownership. The tricky part is, it does not use an apostrophe!
The dog is trying to eat its food.
The cat is going to lick its paws.
The dog owns the food, but there is no apostrophe when using its to show ownership.
It’s is a contraction. It’s stands for It is.
When using it’s, try to separate the contraction to see if it fits.
It’s a great day to play football!
It is a great day to play football!

5. Buy, Bye, and By Beau’s mom had to buy new soccer cleats for his game.
Buy: Buy is a verb that means to purchase.
Beau’s mom had to buy new soccer cleats for his game.
Bye: Bye is a greeting of departure.
Mrs. Bush yelled, “Bye!” to her students as they went home.
By: By is a preposition that means near, beside, or through.
Henry’s soccer ball was sitting by the door.

6. Your and You’re Your You’re
Your is a possessive adjective. It shows ownership.
Your homework should be turned in tomorrow.
Please bring your lunch to school tomorrow.
Your is found in front of a noun showing that it is “yours,” or that you own it.
You’re is a contraction. It’s stands for You are.
When using you’re, try to separate the contraction to see if it fits.
You’re my best friend in the world!
You are my best friend in the world!

7. To, Too, and Two 1. I am going, too. 2. I was too tired to drive home.
To: Has “two” functions: 1. As a preposition: to the store; to the restaurant
As a helping verb: to study; to eat; to help
1. I am going to Italy over the summer I want to study with Sarah.
Too: Has “two” functions: 1. A synonym for also: Can I come, too?
Excessively, “too” much: too full
1. I am going, too I was too tired to drive home.
Two: A number: two apples
There were two cookies left over from the party.

8. Accept and Except Accept Except
To accept is to receive something such as tea or a student into a school.
Trey accepted the invitation to his cousin’s party.
James had to accept the gift his teacher gave him, or it would be rude.
Except means unless or excluding.
Colt likes to talk except when he is in class.
Chipper likes to smiles except when his mother won’t give him her food.

9. Then and Than Then Than Than is a conjunction used in comparisons.
Then has multiple meanings:
Then: next- I ate breakfast. Then, I brushed my teeth.
Then: That point in time- I will be home soon. Call me then.
Then: In addition- If you want dessert, then you must eat your dinner.
Than is a conjunction used in comparisons.
Brady is faster than Emma.
Emma is faster than Ezra.

10. Where, Where, Wear: These actually do not sound alike, but the spelling of these words are similar, which makes these confusing words.
Where: At what place Where is your homework? Where are we going on vacation? Were: The past plural of the verb is They were having a blast at the party. Wear: To Clothe What uniform will we wear to our game Friday?

11. Life and Live These do not sound alike, either, but their similar spellings often times are confusing.
Life
Live
Life is a noun. It is the existence of a person.
My life is very happy because I am with my family.
Live is a verb. It means to make ones home in a particular place.
I live in LaGrange, Georgia.
Mary Maddox has family that lives in Ireland.

12. Loose and Lose These do not sound alike, either, but their similar spellings often times are confusing.
Loose
Lose
Loose means not tight.
My ring was so loose that it almost fell off of my finger.
Lose means to fail to keep up with something or to fail to win.
How did I lose my keys again?
We were going to make sure we practiced hard. We did not want to lose the game again.

13. Let’s Practice!

14. My mom said that she would ______ me my favorite game for Christmas.
buy
bye by

15. ________ going to Disney World for spring break.
their
they’re
there

16. Caroline and Ansley are going ___ dance class after school tomorrow.
two
too to

17. ______ too cold outside to go to the parade.
It’s
Its
Their
There

18. I love to play in the rain ______ when it thunders!
accept
except
affect
effect

19. _______ are you going after school today?
wear
were
where

20. Maggie wanted to pet _____ dog, but they said he would bite.
they’re
their
there

21. Davis thought they would ______ the game when only 8 players came.
accept
loose
lose
except

22. Jack wants to ______ at the beach one day.
life
live
lose
loose

23. Bryce can run faster ______ his sister.
than
then
there

24. Have you looked over ______ for the keys that you lost?
they’re
their
there

25. Cassidy wanted to ______ her white jersey to the game tomorrow.
were
where
wear

26. ________ going to make a 100 on the test if you study hard.
Your
Their
You’re
There

27. Thank you for trying this presentation by: Kathryn Willis
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For a full 5 day unit complete with task cards, assessments, homework pages, guided plans, essential questions, standards, and summarizing activities, try this: Frequently Confused Words 5 Day Unit