Please note the difference:

HOMOPHONES are words that sound the same but have different meanings. For example,

• wait (the verb) and weight (how heavy something is)
• they’re (they are) and their (belonging to them) and there (adverb of place)

HOMONYMS are a kind of homophone, words that are written and said the same way but have different meanings.

Examples of HOMONYMS are:

• book           – something we read and . . .
• book           – to schedule something.
• Spring        – the season and . . .
• spring         – to jump up.
• club            – somewhere to dance and . . .
• club            – large, heavy object that people get hit with.
• fine             – money you owe for bring things back late and . . .
• fine             – feeling okay.
• rock           – a type of music and . . .
• rock            – made of stone.

HOMOGRAPHS are words that are written the same way, but pronounced differently.

Examples of HOMOGRAPHS include:

• to wind a clock but blowing wind.
• rose, the flower and rose, past tense of the verb to rise.
• book – something we read and book – to schedule something

To help you improve spelling skills for each word listed below, I have included the most Homophone common meanings focusing on:

• part of speech (sometimes)
• a very brief definition
• a sentence to test your understanding of the homophone word/s.

Please note that the following scenarios are the most commonly used cases; but as is quite common in our language, there are always exceptions!

1. cite/sight/site

• Sight is one of your five senses. As a noun, it is “the ability to see.” It is also someone or something that is seen.
• Site means “a place where something has happened.” It can also be “a place where something is, was, or will be located.”
• Site is also short for website.
• Cite is a verb. It can mean “to write or say the words” of a person, book or another source. It can also mean “to mention something,” usually to support an idea or opinion.

 Using the correct use of cite/sight/site, fill in the sentences:

1. The sunset last night was a beautiful . . . .
2. There are some important battle . . . near Washington, DC.
3. When you write research papers in school, for example, you . . . other sources to support your argument.

2. canvas/canvass

• Canvas is a type of strong cloth.
• Canvass is to seek people’s votes.

 Using the correct use of canvas/canvass, fill in the sentences:

1. His . . . -made trainers did not last long.
2. The MP has tried to . . . for re-election for a third term.

3. censure/censor

• Censure is to criticize strongly.
• Censor is to ban parts of a book or film; a person who does this.

Using the correct use of censure/censor, fill in the sentences:

1. He was . . . (ed) for his remarks over the incident.
2. My book was heavily . . . (ed) before its publication.

 4. climactic/climatic

• Climactic is forming a climax.
• Climatic is relating to climate.

 Using the correct use of climactic/climatic, fill in the sentences:

• The film’s . . .  scenes were traumatic for the kids.
• Under certain . . . conditions, desert locusts increase in number.

5. complacent/complaisant

• Complacent is proud of oneself and self-satisfied.
• Complaisant is willing to please.

 Using the correct use of complacent/complaisant, fill in the sentences:

1. In all of this praise, however, there is a severe danger that we might become . . . .
2. There are too many . . .  doctors signing sick notes.

6. council/counsel

• Council is a group of people who manage or advise.
• Counsel is to seek advice; to advise.

 Using the correct use of council/counsel, fill in the sentences:

1. The . . .  has unanimously endorsed the agreement with the government.
2. He had to go for . . . (ing) after the tragic incident.

7. cue/queue

• Cue is a signal for action.
• Queue is a line of people or vehicles.

 Using the correct use of cue/queue, fill in the sentences:

1. Pearl  hasn’t yet been given the . . .to come on stage.
2. We found ourselves in a . . .  for petrol.

8. complement/compliment

• Use complement when referring to something that enhances or completes.
• Use compliment as an expression of praise.

 Using the correct use of complement/compliment, fill in the sentences:

1. The cranberry sauce is a perfect . . . to the turkey dinner.
2. I was pleased to have received so many . . . on my new dress.

9. curb/kerb

• Curb is to keep something in check; a control or limit.
• Kerb (in British English) is the stone edge of a pavement.

 Using the correct use of curb/kerb, fill in the sentences:

1. The parents had to . . . his wayward behaviour.
2. She fell of the . . . on her to ASDA market.

 10. currant/current

• Currant is a dried grape.
• Current is happening now; a flow of water, air, or electricity.

Using the correct use of currant/current, fill in the sentences:

1. He .enjoys eating . . . fruits.
2. Ted enjoys listening to . . . . news about the economy.

11.  cast, caste

• cast – throw, toss or cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface.
• caste – social class (with some privileges).

Using the correct use of cast/caste, fill in the sentences:

1. He . . . the book down onto the floor angrily.
2. Those educated at private schools belong to a privileged . . . .

 12. capital/capitol

• Capital has several meanings. It can refer to an uppercase letter, money, or a city where a seat of government is located.
• Capitol means the building where lawmakers meet.

 Using the correct use of capital/capitol, fill in the sentences:

1. Peter visited the cafe in the basement of the . . .  after watching a bill become a law.
2. Basel visited Brasίlia, the . . . of Brazil.

13.  coarse/course

• Coarse means rough, crude or harsh.
• Course (n.) is a path or route to be taken.

 Using the correct use of coarse/course, fill in the sentences:

1. His . . . manners were very irritating.
2. Now that you’ve lost your job, what is the first . . . of action to be taken?

 14. choose/chose

• Choose means to select.
• Chose is the past tense of choose.

 Using the correct use of choose/chose, fill in the sentences:

1. I . . . my puppy last week.
2. I . . . that puppy in the window.

15. conscience/conscious

• Conscience is your inner, moral guide.
• Conscious is being aware of; alive; being alert

 Using the correct use of conscience/conscious, fill in the sentences:

1. He had a guilty . . . about his desires.
2. Tad became . . . . of people talking in the hall.

So, how did you fair?

ANSWERS: #1. a) sight b) site   c) cite; #2. a) canvas b) canvass #3. a) censured   b) censored #4. a) climactic  b) climatic; #5. a) complacent  b) complaisant; #6. a) council   b) counseling; #7. a) cue b) queue   #8. a) complement b) compliments   #9. a) curb   b)kerb #10. a) currant b) current   #11. a) cast b) caste  #12. a) capitol   b) capital   #13. a) coarse   b) course   #14. a) chose   b) choose   #15. a) conscience b) conscious

ALWAYS make it a habit to edit your work to avoid committing the above mistakes.

As of old: Be EMPOWERED and EXCEL!!