Homophone traps

• "They're" = they are; "their" = possessive; "there" = place.
• "Your" = possessive; "you're" = you are.
• "Whose" = possessive question word. "Who's" = who is/has.
• "Affect" is (usually) the verb; "effect" the noun: "affect people", "a positive effect".
• "Than" compares; "then" means "at that time / therefore".
• "Should've" sounds like "should of", but the written form is always "should have".

• They're going to love their new house over there.
• Your presentation was great, you're a natural speaker.
• Whose bag is this?
• The new schedule will affect everyone, but the overall effect is positive.
• The weather is better today than yesterday, and then we can go hiking.
• I should have called earlier.

Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.

More in Common Errors

• Subject–verb agreement
• Negatives done right