Fifth Grade ELA Homophones | Vocabulary Study and Practice

What are homophones?

Homophones are words that sound the same when spoken but have different spellings and meanings.

Examples:

Note

Always pay attention to the spelling. The meaning of a sentence changes depending on which homophone is used.

Homophones are important because they show how the English language can have words that sound alike but mean very different things.

Examples in sentences:

“She was allowed to sing aloud on stage.” (allowed = permitted, aloud = out loud)
“The school principal taught an important principle about kindness.” (principal = head of a school, principle = a truth or rule)

Note

Understanding homophones will make your writing clearer and prevent confusion for readers.

Here are some of the more challenging homophone pairs that students may see in reading and writing:

Homophone List:

Note

Some homophones are easier to confuse because their meanings are not related. Careful reading helps you choose the right word.

Practice is the best way to learn how to use homophones correctly. Look at these sentences and notice how the correct spelling changes the meaning.

Examples:

“The camel can live in the desert, but I love chocolate dessert.”
“The cat’s paws made her pause on the rug.”
“My letter was written on special stationery, not just ordinary stationary paper.”

Note

If a homophone sounds correct but looks unusual, reread the sentence and check its spelling to match the meaning.

Use memory tricks or associations to help you remember which homophone to use in the right situation.

Helpful tips:

Think: “Dessert” has two “s” letters because you usually want seconds.
Remember: “Stationery” with an “e” is for writing, like an envelope.
Create a quick rhyme or story to help you recall which word fits the sentence best.

Note

Practice by making your own sentences with homophones—this helps you remember them faster and use them correctly.