Homophones & Confusables

In this lesson, you will learn about homophones — words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. These words trip up many students in the 11+ exam, but with the right memory tricks, you can master them all.

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What Are Homophones?

Homophones come from the Greek words homo (same) and phone (sound). They are words that sound identical when spoken aloud but are spelled differently and mean different things.

Example:

• there (a place: "Put it over there.")
• their (belonging to them: "It is their house.")
• they're (they are: "They're coming to the party.")

Getting these wrong in the exam can cost you marks, especially in grammar, spelling, and cloze passage questions.

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The Most Commonly Confused Homophones

there / their / they're

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
there	A place; or used to introduce a sentence	The book is over there.	Contains "here" — there = a place
their	Belonging to them	Their dog is very friendly.	Contains "heir" — an heir inherits (owns things)
they're	They are (contraction)	They're going to the cinema.	Try replacing with "they are" — if it works, use they're

its / it's

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
its	Belonging to it (possessive)	The cat licked its paw.	No apostrophe = possession (like his, hers)
it's	It is OR it has (contraction)	It's raining outside.	Try replacing with "it is" — if it works, use it's

Common Mistake: Many students put an apostrophe in "its" when they mean possession. Remember: his, hers, its — none of them have apostrophes!

your / you're

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
your	Belonging to you	Is this your pencil?	"Our" is inside "your" — both show possession
you're	You are (contraction)	You're going to do brilliantly!	Try replacing with "you are" — if it works, use you're

to / too / two

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
to	Direction; or part of a verb	I went to the shop. / I want to read.	The basic, most common form
too	Also; or excessively	I want to come too. / It is too hot.	"Too" has too many o's! (extra o = extra/also)
two	The number 2	I have two brothers.	Contains "tw" like "twin" and "twenty"

affect / effect

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
affect	A verb — to influence or change	The rain will affect the match.	Affect = Action (verb)
effect	A noun — the result or outcome	The effect of the rain was a muddy pitch.	Effect = End result (noun)

practice / practise

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
practice	A noun — the act of practising	I need more practice at spelling.	Practice — ice is a noun (a thing)
practise	A verb — to do something repeatedly to improve	I must practise my times tables.	Practise — I shall practise (verb)

Note: In American English, "practice" is used for both. But in British English (which the 11+ uses), the distinction matters!

stationary / stationery

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
stationary	Not moving; standing still	The car was stationary at the traffic lights.	Stationary = standing still
stationery	Writing materials (pens, paper, etc.)	I bought new stationery for school.	Stationery = envelopes and pencils

principal / principle

Word	Meaning	Example	Memory trick
principal	The head of a school; or main/most important	The principal reason is safety.	The principal is your pal (friend)
principle	A rule or belief	She acted on principle.	A principle is a rule

accept / except