Usage Errors

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• http://www.mce.k12tn.net/word-list/to.htm
• http://www.mce.k12tn.net/word-list/its.htm
• http://www.mce.k12tn.net/word-list/they.htm

A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but is spelled differently. In this lesson you will practice with three sets of troublesome homophones.

1. there, they're, and their
   • There is a place apart from where you are. Notice that is contains the word here inside it to help you remember that it is a place. There is also used in the following type of sentences. There was no way Brian could fight the dragon alone. Thre is a magic in the air.
   • They're is a contraction for the words they are. If you can not substitute the words they are in the sentence do not use they're.
   • Their is the possessive form of they. Their mother ...... Their sword.....
      
2. to, too, and two
   • To is a preposition. Brian wants to go to the forest.
   • Too means "also" or "as well". Brian ate too much. This is too hard for me. OR Brian wants to go too.
   • Two is the number 2  --  one two three
      
3. its and it's
   • Its is the possessive for of it. The dragon turned on its side.
   • It's is a contraction for it is OR it has. It's going to be scary to go into the Forest of Wonder. If you can not substitute the words it is OR it has in the sentence do not use it's.

Write there, they're or their to correctly complete each of the following sentences.

1. The tail itself was curling, twisting and coiling so fast that _____________ was no way Willie could guess its actual length.
2. The dragon was looking _______________ way.
3. But though the beast continued to stare in  __________ direction, the thickness of the forest worked in ___________ favor, hiding them from its eyes.
4. What ____________ really wondering is whether he'll give up half the kingdom.
5. _____________ words tumbled over each other as they talked of its great size and terrible fierceness.
6. _____________ is a clearing with a cottage at the far side.

Write to, too, or two to correctly complete each of the following sentences.

7. Barely avoiding a gasp that might have betrayed her _________ the dragon, she swung ____________ her right.
8. The bear sighed with relief. Brian sighed ______________.
9. __________________ hours later they were still trudging wearily through the forest.
10. Queen Hortense was with them _______________.
11. The maids-in-waiting had been expected ____________ stay home.
12. You must try _______ relax.
13. I miss her ___________.

Write its or it's to correctly complete each of the following sentences.

14. ______________ head was easily twice as long as that of the largest horse.
15. ___________ even bigger than before. ______________ much bigger than that peasant woman said.
16. ______________ a miracle that _____________ bigger now than just a day ago.
17. ____________ tail slashed out at the group.

Correct the following paragraph. You are to find 9 homophone errors.

     In another part of the forest a new group of questers trudged wearily into a clearing. The sun beat it's warmth upon they're heads. Even though they were to tired to continue there leader, King Mildred, dragged the group on and on. He had forced his knights into the forest with him two seek not the dragon, but Willie. Queen Hortense was with their, two, for she had insisted that she would not be left behind while her daughter was in danger. She felt the dragon was two fierce too be dealt with without all the king's resources. Even the page boys had been forced too come along.

Answer Key

1. there
2. their
3. their, their
4. they're
5. Their
6. There
7. to, to
8. too
9. Two
10. too
11. to
12. to
13. too
14. Its
15. It's, It's
16. It's, it's
17. Its

  In another part of the forest a new group of questers trudged wearily into a clearing. The sun beat its warmth upon their heads. Even though they were too tired to continue their leader, King Mildred, dragged the group on and on. He had forced his knights into the forest with him to seek not the dragon, but Willie. Queen Hortense was with there, too, for she had insisted that she would not be left behind while her daughter was in danger. She felt the dragon was too fierce to be dealt with without all the the king's resources. Even the page boys had been forced to come along.