Commonly Mixed-Up Words
The following words are frequently mixed-up with similar sounding or spelled words. The list below will help you understand the difference, and give you a chance to practice on your own.
Its: possessive pronoun—The puppy licked its ice cream from the bowl.
It’s: a contraction for “it is”—Sometimes it’s hard to write an essay.
(It’s, Its) my right to vote when I am 18 years old.
My car blew (it’s, its) water hose while I was driving.
Their: possessive pronoun—Fred and Jane finished all their homework.
They’re:
a contraction for “they are”—They’re going to a
There: an adverb that specifies a place—The skateboarder is lying there unconscious.
The baseball fell into (their, they’re, there) neighbor’s backyard.
The kids are making a sand castle over (their, they’re, there) next to the rocks.
The students said (their, they’re, there) waiting for the first Star Wars tickets.
Then: an adverb denoting time—The teacher gave an example, then handed out an assignment.
Than: a conjunction used to compare—I would rather order Chinese food than have hot dogs for lunch.
He likes Jane more (then, than) Mary.
The guitarist writes a melody first, (then, than) works on the lyrics.
This: pronoun (singular)—This ball is flat.
These: pronoun (plural)—These guitars are used by professional musicians.
(This, these) kid is a total genius on the piano.
(This, These) kids are incredibly hyper when they have too much ice cream.
To: a preposition (denotes time or location)—I enjoy going to the movie theater during the week.
Two: a number—There are two kids on the see-saw.
Too: an adverb—I enjoy going to the horse races, too.
When he plays baseball, (to, two, too) of his hits slice (to, two, too) the left, but the last (to, two, too) were just right.
We’re: a contraction for “we are”—We’re walking over to Rick’s burger joint.
Were: past tense plural form of be (was)—We were walking over to the hot dog stand.
Where: adverb, denotes a place—Where is the film festival being held?
Wear: verb, to have on or to waste gradually—I refuse to wear that tacky yellow dress.
Jack decided to (we’re, were, where, wear) his Giants jersey to the Dodger-Giants game at Dodger stadium.
(We’re, Were, Where, Wear) playing poker at my grandma’s house.
We did not know (we’re, were, where, wear) we (we’re, were, where, wear) going.
Who’s:
a contraction for “who is”—Who’s going to the horse
races with me?
Whose: a possessive pronoun—Whose jacket is this?
(Who’s, Whose) wearing that ugly orange sweater?
(Who’s, Whose) movie tickets are those?
Will:
helping verb (present tense)—
We’ll: a contraction for “we will”—We’ll all go to the country dance next weekend.
Well: adverb, appropriately done—Freddy did well on the reading test.
(Will, We’ll, Well) Mike and Chris join us at the dance?
(Will, We’ll, Well) never be able to tell the difference between Lilly and Violet.
I wonder how (will, we’ll, well) I did on that final exam.
Your: possessive pronoun—Your glasses look great on you!
You’re: a contraction of “you are”—You’re never going to believe who was at the restaurant!
(Your, You’re) not the person I expected to see here.
(Your, You’re) dinner reservations were given away to another couple.