#260 Homophones in English – There, their, they're

Speak English Now through mini-stories with teacher Georgiana

In today's lesson, we're going to explore the fascinating world of homophones. These are words that sound the same but have different meanings, and sometimes can be tricky for English learners.

Don't worry, though! By the end of this episode, you'll have a solid understanding of homophones and be able to use them confidently in your everyday conversations.

Before you start listening, make sure to get the transcript on my website: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com

It's free!

So, let's dive in!

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and may be spelled differently. They can often cause confusion, as they sound identical, but their meanings can vary. Let's explore some common examples of homophones to help clarify their usage.

Example 1: "Two," "Too," and "To"

Although they sound exactly alike, they have different meanings and uses.

"Two" refers to the number 2, such as "I have two cats."

"Too" means also or in addition, for example, "I want to go too."

"To" is a preposition used to express direction, purpose, or recipient, as in "I'm going to the park."

Example 2: "There," "Their," "They're"

Let's break them down:

"There" is used to indicate a location or a point being discussed, like "The keys are over there."

"Their" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, such as "They brought their books."

"They're" is a contraction of "they are," as in "They're going to the movies."

Example 3: "Write" and "Right"

Our final example focuses on two words that sound identical but have distinct meanings:

"Write" means to put words on paper or create text, like "Please write your name."

"Right" can refer to correctness, direction, or the opposite of left, such as

"The answer is right" or "Turn right at the intersection."

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Get the transcript on my website: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com