Homophones--Words with the Same Sounds

Homophones present many problems for spellers because these word partners sound similar, even though their meanings and spellings are different. Some common homophones are listed below.

Homophone Triads

Homophone Pairs

In these years of rapid technological advancement, some computer users have expressed that they don't need to learn to spell because the spell checker in their computer will solve their spelling woes. Not so true when you think about homophones! For example, if the word bare is the correct word to use and the word bear is spelled, the spellcheck program will not pick up the error. The poem that follows illustrates the problem that homophones, and other spelling quirks, can present for the spell checker.

Owed to My Spell Checker

I have a spelling checker.
It came with my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot sea.

Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished in it's weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.

A checker is a bless sing,
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.

Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed to bee a joule
The checker poured o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.

Be fore a veiling checkers
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if were lacks or have a laps,
We wood be maid to wine.

Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
Their are know faults within my cite,
Of none eye am a wear.

Now spelling does knot phase me,
It does knot bring a tier.
My pay purrs awl due glad den
With wrapped words fare as hear.

To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud.
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.

Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
Such soft ware for pea seas,
And why I brake in two averse
When righting what eye pleas.

(Author Unknown)

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