Exploring Writing 2nd Edition by John Langan

Exercise 78

Homonyms
Some words are commonly confused because they have the same sounds but different meanings and spellings; such words are known as homonyms.
Following are a number of homonyms. Complete the activity for each set of words, and check off and study the words that give you trouble.
all ready completely prepared
already previously; before
I was all ready for the test when I learned that my teacher had cancelled class.
It was already May by the time I thought about applying for college.
Fill in the blanks: Sasha was _____ for bed by nine o'clock, and she had ______ laid out her clothes for the next day.
brake stop
break come apart
The mechanic advised me to add brake fluid to my car.
During a commercial break, Marie lay on the floor and did fifty sit-ups.
Fill in the blanks: Tim, a poor driver, would always ______ at the last minute and would usually ______ the speed limit as well.
course part of a meal; a school subject; direction; progression of time
coarse rough
During the course of the evening, I had to endure my date,s coarse behavior.
Fill in the blanks: When the waitress brought the main ______, I was surprised that the cornmeal used for the hush puppies was so ______.
hear perceive with the ear
here in this place
I can hear the performers so well from here that I don't want to change my seat.
Fill in the blanks: The chairperson explained that the meeting was being held ______ in the auditorium to enable everyone to ______ the debate.
hole an empty spot
whole entire
A hole in the crumbling brick mortar made a convenient home for a small bird and its whole family.
Fill in the blanks: The ______ in Dave's argument wouldn't exist if he put his ______ concentration into his thinking.
its belonging to it
it's shortened form of "it is" or "it has"
It's unfortunate that your college is unable to finance all its students' tuition.
Fill in the blanks: I withdrew my application because too ______ difficult to start a new job at the end of the semester, even though the job and ______ fringe benefits were tempting.
knew past form of know
new not old
No one knew our new phone number, but the obscene calls continued.
Fill in the blanks: Even people who ______ Charlie well didn't recognize him with his ______ beard.
know to understand
no a negative
By the time students complete that course, they know two computer languages and have no trouble writing their own programs.
Fill in the blanks: Dogs and cats usually ______ by the tone of the speaker's voice when they are being told "______."
passed went by; succeeded in; handed to
past a time before the present; by, as in "I drove past the house"
Travis passed up the offer to play basketball with his friends because he remembered his past mistakes, which included neglecting his homework.
Fill in the blanks: This ______ year, LeMarcus was determined to move up in the company, and thus he was not ______ over for the promotion.
peace calm
piece a part
The best piece of advice she ever received was to maintain her own inner peace.
Fill in the blanks: Upon hearing that ______ of music, my angry mood was gradually replaced by one of ______.
plain simple
plane aircraft
The plain box contained a very expensive model plane kit.
Fill in the blanks: After unsuccessfully trying to overcome her fear, Selena finally admitted the ______ truth: she was terrified of flying in a ______.
principal main; a person in charge of a school
principle a law or standard
If the principal ingredient in this stew is octopus, I'll abandon my principle of trying everything at least once.
Fill in the blanks: Our ______ insists that all students adhere to every school ______ regarding dress, tardiness, and smoking.
right correct; opposite of "left"
write to put words on paper
Our professor was right when she said that it's difficult to write a research paper without plagiarizing, even unintentionally.
Fill in the blanks: I tried to ______ down the directions correctly, but I obviously didn't record the ______ street address because I am lost now.
than (th n) used in comparisons
then (th n) at that time
I made more money then, but I've never been happier than I am now.
Fill in the blanks: When I was in high school, I wanted a racy two-seater convertible more ______ anything else; but ______ my friends pointed out that only one person would be able to ride with me.
their belonging to them
there at that place; a neutral word used with verbs like is, are, was, were, have, and had
they're shortened form of "they are"
The tenants there are complaining because they're being cheated by their landlord.
Fill in the blanks: The tomatoes I planted ______ in the back of the garden are finally ripening, but ______ bright red color will attract hungry raccoons, and I fear ______ going to be eaten.
threw past form of throw
through from one side to the other; finished
When my daughter was a toddler, she often threw a tantrum when she was through eating.
Fill in the blanks: As the children moved ______ the museum, one of them ______ a candy wrapper into the display area.
to verb part, as in to smile ; toward, as in "I'm going to heaven"
too overly, as in "The pizza was too hot"; also, as in "The coffee was hot, too."
two the number 2
I ran to the car to roll up the windows. (The first to means "toward"; the second to is a verb part that goes with roll.)
That amusement park is too far away; I hear that it's expensive, too. (The first too means "overly"; the second too means "also.")
The two players (2 players) jumped up to tap the basketball away.
Fill in the blanks: The ______ of them have been dating for a year, but lately they seem ______ be arguing ______ often to pretend nothing is wrong.
wear to have on
where in what place
Where I will wear a purple feather boa is not the point; I just want to buy it.
Fill in the blanks: ______ were we going the night I refused to a tie
weather atmospheric conditions
whether if it happens that; in case; if
Although meteorologists are weather specialists, even they can't predict whether a hurricane will change course.
Fill in the blanks: The gloomy ______ report in the paper this morning ended all discussion ______ of to pack a picnic lunch for later.
whose belonging to whom
who's shortened form of "who is" and "who has"
Tell me who's the person whose dirty dishes are left in the workroom sink
Fill in the blanks: The emcee asked the guests, ______ " the person ______ birthday is closest to the guest of honor's "
your belonging to you
you're shortened form of "you are"
You're confident that your grades are high enough to earn you a scholarship next year.
Fill in the blanks: If ______ sure that you can pay the rent, you and ______ family should move into a larger apartment.