Homophones for 11 plus
And other confusing word pairs for the 11+ students
A
1. Ate / Eight: Ate means consumed food, eight is the number 8.
2. Add / Ad: Add means to combine, ad is an advertisement.
3. All / Awl: All means everything, awl is a tool for piercing.
4. Air / Heir: Air is the atmosphere, heir is someone who inherits.
5. Allowed / Aloud: Allowed means permitted, aloud means spoken audibly.
6. Aisle / Isle: Aisle is a walkway, isle is a small island.
7. Affect / Effect: Affect is to influence, effect is the result.
8. Acts / Ax: Acts are actions, ax is a chopping tool.
9. Altar / Alter: Altar is a religious table, alter means to change.
10. Assent / Ascent: Assent is agreement, ascent means rising upward.
11. Ate / Ate: Ate (past of eat) vs. Ait (island in a river).
12. Arc / Ark: Arc is a curve, ark refers to Noah's boat.
13. Arrant / Errant: Arrant means complete, errant means wandering.
14. Attendance / Attendants: Attendance refers to being present, attendants are people who assist.
15. Aught / Ought: Aught means anything, ought means should.
16. Ail / Ale: Ail means to feel ill, ale is a type of beer.
17. Aid / Aide: Aid means help, aide is a helper.
18. Allude / Elude: Allude means to refer to indirectly, elude means to escape.
19. Accept / Except: Accept means to receive, except means to exclude.
20. Ant / Aunt: Ant is an insect, aunt is a relative.
B
1. Bear / Bare: Bear is the animal or to endure, bare means uncovered.
2. Brake / Break: Brake stops vehicles, break means to shatter or pause.
3. Buy / Bye / By: Buy means to purchase, bye is a farewell, by indicates proximity.
4. Band / Banned: Band is a group, banned means prohibited.
5. Ball / Bawl: Ball is a sphere, bawl means to cry loudly.
6. Bee / Be: Bee is an insect, be is a verb indicating existence.
7. Bred / Bread: Bred is raised or cultivated, bread is food.
8. Board / Bored: Board is a flat surface, bored means uninterested.
9. Bass / Base: Bass is a low sound or fish, base is a foundation.
10. Bow / Bough: Bow is to bend or a weapon, bough is a tree branch.
11. Born / Borne: Born refers to birth, borne means carried.
12. Blue / Blew: Blue is a color, blew is the past of "blow."
13. Boar / Bore: Boar is a wild pig, bore means to drill or to be tedious.
14. Beach / Beech: Beach is by the sea, beech is a type of tree.
15. Brews / Bruise: Brews refers to drinks made by brewing, bruise is an injury.
16. Bite / Byte: Bite is using teeth, byte is a data unit.
17. Baron / Barren: Baron is a nobleman, barren means infertile.
18. Beat / Beet: Beat means to strike or rhythm, beet is a vegetable.
19. Berth / Birth: Berth means a sleeping place on a ship, birth is being born.
20. Bale / Bail: Bale refers to a bundle, bail is money for release.
C
1. Cell / Sell: Cell is a small room, sell is to exchange goods.
2. Cent / Scent / Sent: Cent is money, scent is a smell, sent is the past of send.
3. Canvas / Canvass: Canvas is fabric, canvass means to solicit.
4. Cite / Sight / Site: Cite means to quote, sight is vision, site is a location.
5. Core / Corps: Core is the central part, corps is a group of people.
6. Coarse / Course: Coarse means rough, course is a path.
7. Council / Counsel: Council is a group for decision-making, counsel is advice.
8. Chord / Cord: Chord is a musical note group, cord is a rope.
9. Check / Cheque: Check means to verify, cheque is a written payment order.
10. Crew / Cru: Crew is a group of workers, cru refers to a vineyard (in French).
11. Complement / Compliment: Complement completes something, compliment is praise.
12. Carrot / Caret / Karat: Carrot is a vegetable, caret is a symbol (^), karat is gold purity.
13. Capital / Capitol: Capital is a city or wealth, capitol is a government building.
14. Cereal / Serial: Cereal is breakfast food, serial is something in sequence.
15. Close / Clothes: Close means near or to shut, clothes are garments.
16. Cream / Creme: Cream is dairy-based, creme is a French term for creamy desserts.
17. Caught / Court: Caught means to capture, court is a legal venue.
18. Clause / Claws: Clause is part of a sentence, claws are sharp animal nails.
19. Cast / Caste: Cast means to throw, caste refers to a social class.
20. Canvas / Canvass: Canvas is fabric, canvass means to survey.
D
1. Deer / Dear: Deer is an animal, dear means cherished or expensive.
2. Die / Dye: Die means to stop living, dye is a coloring substance.
3. Do / Due: Do means to perform, due means expected or owed.
4. Dual / Duel: Dual means twofold, duel is a fight or contest.
5. Desert / Dessert: Desert is a dry area, dessert is a sweet course after a meal.
6. Dough / Doe: Dough is used for baking, doe is a female deer.
7. Dew / Due: Dew is morning moisture, due means something expected.
8. Discreet / Discrete: Discreet means tactful, discrete means separate.
9. Draft / Draught: Draft refers to a preliminary version, draught is a current of air.
10. Duck / Duck: Duck is a bird and also means to avoid something.
11. Dam / Damn: Dam is a barrier for water, damn is a curse or expression of annoyance.
12. Dense / Dents: Dense means thick or packed, dents are depressions or marks.
13. Days / Daze: Days are periods of 24 hours, daze means a state of confusion.
14. Dearth / Dirt: Dearth means a scarcity of something, dirt is soil.
15. Does / Does: Does (plural of doe, female deer) vs. does (present tense of "do").
16. Dock / Doc: Dock is a platform for boats, doc is short for doctor.
17. Descent / Dissent: Descent is downward motion, dissent means disagreement.
18. Damned / Dammed: Damned means condemned, dammed refers to blocking water.
19. Dose / Doze: Dose is a measured amount of medicine, doze means to nap.
20. Dye / Die: Dye changes color, die can refer to death or a single dice.
E
1. Eye / I: Eye is an organ of vision, I is the first-person pronoun.
2. Ewe / You: Ewe is a female sheep, you refers to the person being addressed.
3. Emigrate / Immigrate: Emigrate means to leave a country, immigrate means to move into a new country.
4. Earn / Urn: Earn means to gain, urn is a decorative container.
5. Elude / Allude: Elude means to escape, allude means to refer indirectly.
6. Ensure / Insure: Ensure means to make certain, insure refers to providing insurance.
7. Expire / Inspire: Expire means to come to an end, inspire means to motivate.
8. Except / Accept: Except means to exclude, accept means to receive.
9. Elicit / Illicit: Elicit means to draw out, illicit means illegal.
10. Eight / Ate: Eight is the number, ate is the past of "eat."
11. Epic / Epoch: Epic is a grand narrative, epoch is a significant period.
12. Eras / Errors: Eras are periods in time, errors are mistakes.
13. Evanescent / Effervescent: Evanescent means fleeting, effervescent refers to bubbly.
14. Ether / Either: Ether is a chemical or the heavens, either is a choice.
15. Evil / Evel: Evil means morally bad, Evel refers to the stuntman Evel Knievel.
16. Ego / Ago: Ego means self-importance, ago indicates the past.
17. Engine / Ingenious: Engine is a machine, ingenious means clever.
18. Exit / Exet: Exit means to leave, exet (archaic, meaning "he exits").
19. Eminent / Imminent: Eminent means distinguished, imminent means about to happen.
20. Exact / Extract: Exact means precise, extract refers to pulling out.
F
1. Fined / Find: Fined means penalized, find means to discover.
2. Flea / Flee: Flea is an insect, flee means to run away.
3. Fir / Fur: Fir is a tree, fur is animal hair.
4. Fair / Fare: Fair means just or an event, fare is the price of travel.
5. Faint / Feint: Faint means to lose consciousness, feint is a deceptive move.
6. Flower / Flour: Flower is a bloom, flour is ground grain.
7. Foul / Fowl: Foul means offensive or dirty, fowl is a bird.
8. Fate / Fete: Fate means destiny, fete is a celebration.
9. Forth / Fourth: Forth means onward, fourth is the number.
10. Formally / Formerly: Formally means officially, formerly means previously.
11. Fairy / Ferry: Fairy is a mythical being, ferry is a boat transport.
12. Flare / Flair: Flare means to blaze suddenly, flair means talent or style.
13. File / Phial: File is used for records or smoothing, phial is a small container.
14. Feat / Feet: Feat is an accomplishment, feet are parts of the body.
15. Find / Fined: Find means to discover, fined means penalized.
16. Fisher / Fissure: Fisher refers to someone who fishes, fissure means a crack.
17. Flee / Flea: Flee means to run away, flea is an insect.
18. Fairy / Hairy: Fairy is mythical, hairy means covered with hair.
19. Farewell / Fare Well: Farewell is a goodbye, fare well means to do well.
20. Face / Phase: Face is the front of something, phase is a stage.
G
1. Gait / Gate: Gait is the way someone walks, gate is a hinged barrier.
2. Gamble / Gambol: Gamble means to bet, gambol means to skip or frolic.
3. Grate / Great: Grate means to shred or a metal grid, great means excellent or large.
4. Gorilla / Guerrilla: Gorilla is a large primate, guerrilla refers to irregular warfare.
5. Genes / Jeans: Genes are hereditary units, jeans are a type of pants.
6. Gym / Jim: Gym is a fitness center, Jim is a name.
7. Gilt / Guilt: Gilt is a thin covering of gold, guilt refers to a feeling of remorse.
8. Gored / Gourd: Gored means impaled, gourd is a type of fruit or vegetable.
9. Groan / Grown: Groan is a sound of discomfort, grown is the past tense of grow.
10. Grill / Grille: Grill is for cooking, grille is a metal lattice.
11. Guessed / Guest: Guessed is past of guess, guest refers to a visitor.
12. Guise / Guys: Guise means appearance, guys means people informally.
13. Gored / Board: Gored refers to being pierced, board is a flat panel.
14. Gamble / Ramble: Gamble is to bet, ramble means to talk aimlessly.
15. Grew / Gru: Grew is past of grow, Gru refers to a character in Despicable Me.
16. Grim / Brim: Grim means bleak, brim means the edge of something.
17. Glass / Grass: Glass is a material or container, grass refers to vegetation.
18. Gore / Gorge: Gore means blood, gorge is a deep valley or to eat greedily.
19. Gaiter / Gator: Gaiter is a leg covering, gator is short for alligator.
20. Galop / Gallop: Galop is a type of dance, gallop is a horse's fast pace.
H
1. Hair / Hare: Hair is strands on the head, hare is a rabbit-like animal.
2. Heal / Heel: Heal means to recover, heel refers to the back of the foot.
3. Hymn / Him: Hymn is a religious song, him is a pronoun.
4. Hoard / Horde: Hoard means to stockpile, horde is a large group.
5. Hour / Our: Hour is 60 minutes, our shows possession.
6. Here / Hear: Here refers to a place, hear means to listen.
7. Hi / High: Hi is a greeting, high means elevated.
8. Hole / Whole: Hole is an opening, whole means complete.
9. Hew / Hue: Hew means to chop, hue is a color or shade.
10. Hall / Haul: Hall is a large room, haul means to pull or drag.
11. Hanger / Hangar: Hanger is for clothes, hangar is for airplanes.
12. Horse / Hoarse: Horse is an animal, hoarse refers to a rough voice.
13. Heel / Heal: Heel is part of the foot, heal means to recover.
14. Hymn / Hum: Hymn is a song, hum means to produce a low continuous sound.
15. Hostel / Hostile: Hostel is inexpensive accommodation, hostile means unfriendly.
16. Hay / Hey: Hay is dried grass, hey is a greeting or call for attention.
17. Harp / Harp: Harp is a musical instrument, and it can also mean to dwell on something.
18. Hart / Heart: Hart is a male deer, heart refers to the organ or love symbol.
19. Hire / Higher: Hire is to employ, higher means more elevated.
20. Holy / Wholly: Holy means sacred, wholly means entirely.
I
1. I / Eye: I is the first-person pronoun, eye is an organ for seeing.
2. Idle / Idol: Idle means inactive, idol is a worshipped figure.
3. Inn / In: Inn is a small hotel, in means inside.
4. Incite / Insight: Incite means to provoke, insight refers to deep understanding.
5. Its / It's: Its shows possession, it's means "it is."
6. Irony / Iron: Irony means an unexpected twist, iron is a metal.
7. Illusion / Allusion: Illusion is a false perception, allusion is a reference.
8. Island / Iceland: Island is a piece of land surrounded by water, Iceland is a country.
9. Ion / Eon: Ion is a charged particle, eon is a very long time.
10. Isle / Aisle: Isle is a small island, aisle is a walkway.
11. Ice / Aisle: Ice is frozen water, aisle is a pathway.
12. Indict / Indite: Indict means to formally accuse, indite is to write formally.
13. Idle / Bridal: Idle means inactive, bridal refers to weddings.
14. Imp / Amp: Imp is a mischievous creature, amp refers to amplifiers.
15. Instinct / Distinct: Instinct is an innate behavior, distinct means unique.
16. Issue / Tissue: Issue means a matter or to release, tissue is soft paper or skin.
17. Ill / We'll: Ill means sick, we'll is "we will."
18. Infer / Incor: Infer means to conclude, incor (short for incorporate).
19. Ice / Nice: Ice is frozen water, nice means pleasant.
20. Ink / Inc.: Ink is liquid for writing, Inc. is short for incorporated.
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J
1. Jam / Jamb: Jam is a fruit preserve or to squeeze tightly, jamb refers to the side of a door or window frame.
2. Jewels / Joules: Jewels are precious stones, joules are units of energy.
3. Just / Jest: Just means fair or only, jest is a joke or humorous remark.
4. Jewel / Dual: Jewel is a gemstone, dual refers to twofold.
5. Jaw / Jar: Jaw is the lower part of the mouth, jar is a container.
6. Jam / Damn: Jam is a preserve or to squeeze, damn is a curse or to condemn.
7. Jury / Jewry: Jury is a group deciding a verdict, jewry refers to Jewish communities.
8. Jeans / Genes: Jeans are pants, genes are hereditary units.
9. Jerk / Perk: Jerk means a sudden movement or rude person, perk is a benefit.
10. Jawed / Jod: Jawed means talked a lot, jod is part of the name Jodhpur.
11. Just / Adjust: Just means fair or exactly, adjust means to modify.
12. Jive / Jibe: Jive refers to a style of dance or slang, jibe means to agree.
13. Jet / Jett: Jet is an aircraft or black mineral, Jett is a name.
14. Jam / Lam: Jam means to squeeze, lam is an escape or beating (slang).
15. Jar / Car: Jar is a container, car is a vehicle.
16. Jug / Jog: Jug is a large container, jog is to run slowly.
17. Jute / Cute: Jute is a plant fiber, cute means attractive in a small way.
18. Jack / Rack: Jack is a lifting device or name, rack is a framework.
19. Junction / Function: Junction is a meeting point, function is a purpose or event.
20. Jump / Stump: Jump is to leap, stump refers to a tree base or confusion.
K
1. Kernel / Colonel: Kernel is the inner part of a seed, colonel is a military rank.
2. Knows / Nose: Knows is the third-person singular of "know," nose is part of the face.
3. Knight / Night: Knight is a medieval soldier, night is the time after sunset.
4. Knave / Nave: Knave is a dishonest person, nave is the main part of a church.
5. Knot / Not: Knot is a loop in rope, not is a negation word.
6. Killed / Kilt: Killed means ended a life, kilt is a Scottish garment.
7. Knew / New: Knew is the past of "know," new means recent or fresh.
8. Kid / Lid: Kid is a child or young goat, lid is a cover.
9. Knead / Need: Knead means to massage dough, need means to require.
10. Knock / Nock: Knock means to hit, nock is the notch in an arrow.
11. Knit / Nit: Knit is to weave, nit is a lice egg.
12. Kin / Ken: Kin refers to family, ken means understanding or range of knowledge.
13. King / Sing: King is a male monarch, sing is to vocalize music.
14. Kick / Pick: Kick means to strike with the foot, pick means to select.
15. Kill / Will: Kill means to end life, will refers to determination or a legal document.
16. Key / Quay: Key is for unlocking or essential, quay is a dock for ships.
17. Kite / Site: Kite is a flying toy, site is a location.
18. Knee / Nee: Knee is a joint, née means "born as" (used in names).
19. Keep / Peep: Keep means to retain, peep means to glance.
20. Ken / Pen: Ken means understanding, pen is a writing tool.
L
1. Lead / Led: Lead is a metal or to guide, led is the past tense of "lead."
2. Lie / Lye: Lie means to recline or tell an untruth, lye is a chemical compound.
3. Loan / Lone: Loan is borrowed money, lone means solitary.
4. Leak / Leek: Leak refers to escaping fluid, leek is a vegetable.
5. Lane / Lain: Lane is a narrow road, lain is the past participle of "lie."
6. Lessen / Lesson: Lessen means to reduce, lesson is a teaching session.
7. Led / Lead: Led is the past of "lead," lead is a metal or to guide.
8. Load / Lode: Load means to carry, lode is a mineral deposit.
9. Liar / Lyre: Liar is someone who tells lies, lyre is a musical instrument.
10. Lightning / Lightening: Lightning is a natural electrical discharge, lightening means making something lighter.
11. Lid / Kid: Lid is a cover, kid is a child or young goat.
12. Lose / Loose: Lose means to misplace, loose means not tight.
13. Lap / Lapp: Lap is the upper thighs or to drink, Lapp refers to a Scandinavian indigenous group.
14. Lime / Mime: Lime is a citrus fruit, mime is a silent performance.
15. Link / Ink: Link is a connection, ink is writing fluid.
16. Look / Hook: Look means to gaze, hook means a curved tool or device.
17. Low / Row: Low means not high, row means a line or to propel a boat.
18. Loom / Boom: Loom is a weaving device or to appear, boom is a loud sound or growth.
19. Lice / Mice: Lice are parasitic insects, mice are rodents.
20. Lair / Layer: Lair is an animal's resting place, layer is a covering or level.
M
1. Made / Maid: Made is the past of "make," maid is a domestic worker.
2. Male / Mail: Male refers to the gender, mail means letters or parcels.
3. Meet / Meat: Meet means to encounter, meat is edible animal flesh.
4. Moose / Mousse: Moose is a large deer, mousse is a dessert or hair product.
5. Mole / Moll: Mole can be an animal or a skin blemish, moll is a gangster's girlfriend (slang).
6. Morning / Mourning: Morning is the early part of the day, mourning is grieving a loss.
7. Miner / Minor: Miner extracts minerals, minor means underage or less significant.
8. Mail / Male: Mail refers to post, male is a gender.
9. Mall / Maul: Mall is a shopping center, maul means to attack or injure.
10. Main / Mane: Main means primary, mane is the hair on a horse or lion.
11. Meddle / Medal: Meddle means to interfere, medal is an award.
12. Metal / Mettle: Metal is a material, mettle is courage or spirit.
13. Moat / Mote: Moat is a water-filled trench, mote is a small particle.
14. Mark / Marque: Mark is a symbol, marque is a brand or type of car.
15. Made / Mad: Made refers to something created, mad means angry or crazy.
16. Mall / Maul: Mall is a shopping area, maul is to attack severely.
17. Mustard / Mustered: Mustard is a condiment, mustered means gathered.
18. Muscle / Mussel: Muscle is tissue in the body, mussel is a type of shellfish.
19. Mean / Mien: Mean is to signify or cruel, mien means appearance or demeanor.
20. Mind / Mined: Mind refers to the brain or to care, mined means extracted resources.
N
1. Nose / Knows: Nose is part of the face, knows means to understand.
2. Not / Knot: Not is a negation, knot is a loop or tangle.
3. Need / Knead: Need means to require, knead means to work dough or clay.
4. Night / Knight: Night is the time after sunset, knight is a medieval warrior.
5. Nay / Neigh: Nay means no, neigh is a horse's sound.
6. None / Nun: None means nothing, nun is a woman in religious service.
7. New / Knew: New means recent, knew is the past of "know."
8. No / Know: No expresses denial, know means to understand.
9. Nun / Non: Nun is a religious sister, non means not or without.
10. Naught / Knot: Naught means nothing, knot is a loop or twist in rope.
11. Nail / Kneel: Nail refers to a metal pin or finger part, kneel means to go on one's knees.
12. Naval / Navel: Naval pertains to ships, navel is the belly button.
13. Noose / News: Noose is a looped rope, news is information.
14. None / Done: None means nothing, done means completed.
15. Neck / Deck: Neck is part of the body, deck refers to a flat surface or platform.
16. Next / Text: Next means following, text refers to written content.
17. No / Low: No means a denial, low means not high.
18. North / Worth: North is a direction, worth indicates value.
19. Needle / Nettle: Needle is a sewing tool, nettle is a stinging plant.
20. Note / Gnote: Note is a message or sound, gnote (archaic) refers to a gesture.
O
1. Ore / Oar: Ore is a mineral deposit, oar is used to row a boat.
2. Or / Oar: Or is a conjunction indicating choice, oar is for rowing.
3. Oh / Owe: Oh is an exclamation, owe means to be indebted.
4. One / Won: One is the number, won is the past of "win."
5. Overdo / Overdue: Overdo means to do too much, overdue means late.
6. Our / Hour: Our indicates possession, hour is 60 minutes.
7. On / An: On means atop or operating, an is an article.
8. Oh / Awe: Oh is an exclamation, awe means amazement or reverence.
9. Owe / Oh: Owe means indebted, oh is an expression of surprise.
10. Oral / Aural: Oral pertains to the mouth, aural pertains to hearing.
11. Owl / Awl: Owl is a bird, awl is a tool for piercing.
12. Old / Owed: Old means aged, owed means being in debt.
13. Over / Hover: Over means above or completed, hover means to stay suspended.
14. Oval / Noble: Oval is an elongated circle, noble means of high rank or virtue.
15. Out / Shout: Out means away, shout means to yell.
16. Opt / Aped: Opt means to choose, aped means imitated (slang).
17. Ought / Aught: Ought means should, aught means anything or nothing.
18. Oak / Yoke: Oak is a type of tree, yoke is a wooden harness.
19. Overseer / Overhear: Overseer means supervisor, overhear means to eavesdrop.
20. Oil / Boil: Oil is a liquid substance, boil means to heat until bubbling.
P
1. Pair / Pear / Pare: Pair refers to two items, pear is a fruit, pare means to trim.
2. Peace / Piece: Peace means tranquility, piece refers to a portion.
3. Plane / Plain: Plane is an aircraft or a flat surface, plain means simple or flat land.
4. Prey / Pray: Prey refers to an animal hunted, pray means to worship or ask earnestly.
5. Principal / Principle: Principal is the head of a school or main, principle is a moral rule.
6. Pole / Poll: Pole is a long rod or a point, poll means a survey or voting process.
7. Practice / Practise: Practice is the act of doing something, practise is the British spelling for the verb.
8. Presence / Presents: Presence means being there, presents are gifts.
9. Profit / Prophet: Profit means financial gain, prophet is a spiritual messenger.
10. Patience / Patients: Patience means calm endurance, patients are people receiving medical care.
11. Pause / Paws: Pause means to stop temporarily, paws are an animal's feet.
12. Place / Plaice: Place is a location, plaice is a type of fish.
13. Passed / Past: Passed means went by, past refers to earlier times.
14. Pore / Pour: Pore is a tiny opening, pour means to flow liquid.
15. Peak / Peek / Pique: Peak is the top, peek means a quick look, pique means aroused interest or anger.
16. Patrol / Petrol: Patrol means to guard, petrol means gasoline.
17. Pale / Pail: Pale means lacking color, pail is a bucket.
18. Principal / Principle: Principal refers to the main person or sum of money, principle is a basic truth.
19. Peer / Pier: Peer means an equal, pier is a structure extending into water.
20. Palate / Palette / Pallet: Palate is the roof of the mouth, palette is for mixing colors, pallet is a platform.
Q
1. Queue / Cue: Queue means a line, cue is a prompt or a signal.
2. Quarts / Quartz: Quarts is a unit of measurement, quartz is a mineral.
3. Quiet / Quite: Quiet means silence, quite means completely or somewhat.
4. Quire / Choir: Quire is a collection of paper sheets, choir is a group of singers.
5. Quay / Key: Quay is a dock for ships, key is for unlocking or a crucial element.
6. Quart / Court: Quart is a liquid measure, court is a place of legal proceedings.
7. Queue / Pew: Queue is a line, pew is a church bench.
8. Quit / Kit: Quit means to stop, kit is a set of equipment.
9. Quack / Crack: Quack is the sound a duck makes or a fake doctor, crack is a sharp sound or split.
10. Quack / Rack: Quack refers to a charlatan, rack is a stand for holding things.
11. Quick / Kick: Quick means fast, kick refers to striking with the foot.
12. Quill / Will: Quill is a feather used for writing, will is determination or a legal document.
13. Quip / Trip: Quip is a witty remark, trip means to stumble or a journey.
14. Queue / Shoe: Queue means a line, shoe is footwear.
15. Quaint / Faint: Quaint means charmingly old-fashioned, faint means barely perceptible or to lose consciousness.
16. Quest / Crest: Quest means a search, crest is the top of something.
17. Quaff / Cough: Quaff means to drink deeply, cough is a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs.
18. Quaint / Paint: Quaint refers to being attractively unusual, paint is used for coloring.
19. Quote / Coat: Quote means to cite, coat refers to an outer garment.
20. Quick / Pick: Quick is fast, pick means to choose.
R
1. Right / Write: Right means correct or a direction, write means to compose text.
2. Road / Rode: Road is a pathway, rode is the past tense of "ride."
3. Rose / Rows: Rose is a flower or past tense of "rise," rows are lines.
4. Rain / Reign / Rein: Rain is precipitation, reign is to rule, rein is a strap for controlling an animal.
5. Red / Read: Red is a color, read is to look at text (past tense or present).
6. Ring / Wring: Ring is a circular band or sound, wring means to twist.
7. Raise / Raze: Raise means to lift up, raze means to destroy completely.
8. Rough / Ruff: Rough means uneven, ruff is a frill or fur around the neck.
9. Roll / Role: Roll means to move by turning or a list, role is a part in a play or duty.
10. Root / Route: Root is the base of a plant, route is a path.
11. Rung / Wrung: Rung is a step on a ladder, wrung is past tense of "wring."
12. Row / Roe: Row is a line or to propel a boat, roe is fish eggs.
13. Rest / Wrest: Rest means to relax or remain, wrest means to take forcibly.
14. Rear / Rare: Rear means the back or to raise, rare means uncommon.
15. Rain / Wane: Rain is water falling from clouds, wane means to decrease.
16. Raid / Rayed: Raid is a surprise attack, rayed means emitted rays.
17. Ring / Bring: Ring is a circular band or sound, bring means to carry.
18. Rock / Roc: Rock is a solid mineral or to sway, roc is a mythical bird.
19. Rode / Road / Rowed: Rode means traveled by vehicle or animal, road is a pathway, rowed means moved by oars.
20. Rice / Rise: Rice is a grain, rise means to move upward.
S
1. Sea / See: Sea is a large body of saltwater, see means to observe.
2. Sail / Sale: Sail refers to a fabric to catch the wind on a boat, sale means a discount or transaction.
3. Son / Sun: Son is a male child, sun is the star at the center of our solar system.
4. Suite / Sweet: Suite refers to a set of rooms or furniture, sweet means sugary or pleasant.
5. Stationary / Stationery: Stationary means not moving, stationery refers to writing materials.
6. Sight / Site / Cite: Sight is vision, site is a location, cite means to reference.
7. Serial / Cereal: Serial means occurring in a sequence, cereal is a breakfast food.
8. Steal / Steel: Steal means to take without permission, steel is a metal.
9. Sole / Soul: Sole means only or the bottom of a shoe, soul is the spiritual essence.
10. Sore / Soar: Sore means painful, soar means to fly or rise high.
11. Stake / Steak: Stake refers to a wooden stick or interest in something, steak is a cut of meat.
12. Sell / Cell: Sell means to exchange for money, cell is a small room or biological unit.
13. Scene / Seen: Scene is part of a play or setting, seen is the past tense of "see."
14. Some / Sum: Some means an unspecified amount, sum refers to a total.
15. Shoo / Shoe: Shoo means to chase away, shoe is footwear.
16. Story / Storey: Story refers to a narrative, storey is a level of a building.
17. Seam / Seem: Seam is a line where two pieces meet, seem means to appear.
18. Shear / Sheer: Shear means to cut, sheer means steep or transparent.
19. Station / Stature: Station is a place or stop, stature is height or importance.
20. Slight / Sleight: Slight means small or to insult, sleight refers to skill or dexterity.
T
1. Tail / Tale: Tail is the rear part of an animal, tale is a story.
2. Toe / Tow: Toe is part of a foot, tow means to pull.
3. Team / Teem: Team is a group, teem means to be full or swarm.
4. Their / There / They're: Their shows possession, there refers to a location, they're is "they are."
5. Two / Too / To: Two is the number, too means also or excessively, to is a preposition.
6. Threw / Through: Threw is the past of "throw," through means across.
7. Tide / Tied: Tide refers to the rise and fall of the sea, tied means bound or fastened.
8. Tee / Tea: Tee is a small stand for a golf ball, tea is a beverage.
9. Than / Then: Than is used for comparison, then refers to time.
10. Tow / Toe: Tow is to pull, toe is part of a foot.
11. Tracked / Tract: Tracked means followed, tract is a large area of land.
12. Time / Thyme: Time refers to the ongoing sequence of events, thyme is an herb.
13. Tread / Thread: Tread means to walk, thread is a thin strand.
14. Tier / Tear: Tier means a row or level, tear is to rip or a drop of liquid from the eyes.
15. Tacks / Tax: Tacks are small nails, tax is a government levy.
16. Taut / Taught: Taut means tight, taught is the past of "teach."
17. Track / Trek: Track is a path or course, trek means a long journey.
18. Troop / Troupe: Troop refers to a group of soldiers, troupe is a group of performers.
19. Tense / Tents: Tense means anxious or a verb form, tents are portable shelters.
20. Tale / Tail: Tale is a story, tail is the rear appendage of an animal.
U
1. Urn / Earn: Urn is a decorative vase, earn means to gain.
2. Use / Yews / Ewes: Use means to employ, yews are trees, ewes are female sheep.
3. Utter / Utter: Utter means complete, utter means to speak.
4. Urge / Verge: Urge means a strong desire, verge means the edge of something.
5. Undo / Undue: Undo means to reverse, undue means excessive.
6. Up / Sup: Up means elevated, sup means to eat (archaic or casual).
7. Ultrasound / Ultrasound: Ultrasound refers to medical imaging and high-frequency sound waves.
8. Under / Wonder: Under means beneath, wonder means to be curious or amazed.
9. Urinal / Your Nail: Urinal is a facility for urinating, your nail refers to your fingernail.
10. Upright / Up Right: Upright means vertical, up right means standing upright.
11. Unity / Amity: Unity means being together, amity refers to friendship.
12. Unease / Ease: Unease means discomfort, ease means comfort.
13. Upper / Supper: Upper means higher, supper means an evening meal.
14. Use / Ruse: Use means to employ, ruse means a trick.
15. Utterance / Alterance: Utterance refers to speech, alterance means change (rare).
16. Unity / Unify: Unity is a state of being united, unify means to bring together.
17. Usher / Husher: Usher means to guide, husher means someone who quiets others.
18. Under / Udder: Under means beneath, udder is a cow's milk-producing organ.
19. Urge / Surge: Urge means a strong desire, surge means a sudden increase.
20. Union / Onion: Union is a group united for a cause, onion is a vegetable.
V
1. Vain / Vein / Vane: Vain means conceited or futile, vein refers to a blood vessel, vane is a blade or a weather indicator.
2. Verb / Verve: Verb is a part of speech, verve means enthusiasm or energy.
3. Vice / Vise: Vice means immoral behavior, vise is a clamping tool.
4. Velvet / Valvet: Velvet is a soft fabric, valvet is an obsolete form of the word.
5. Vocal / Focal: Vocal means related to voice, focal refers to focus.
6. Violate / Violet: Violate means to break a rule, violet is a color or flower.
7. Vale / Veil: Vale is a valley, veil is a covering for the face.
8. Vend / Bend: Vend means to sell, bend refers to curving.
9. Very / Vary: Very means extremely, vary means to differ.
10. Vocal / Local: Vocal refers to sound or speech, local refers to a specific area.
11. Vein / Wane: Vein is a blood vessel, wane means to diminish.
12. Visor / Advisor: Visor is part of a helmet, advisor is a person offering advice.
13. Vice / Dice: Vice is a bad habit, dice are small cubes for games.
14. Vet / Bet: Vet refers to an animal doctor or to evaluate, bet means to gamble.
15. Vane / Mane: Vane is a blade or weather indicator, mane is the long hair on some animals.
16. Verse / Worse: Verse is a line of poetry, worse means of poorer quality.
17. Vowel / Foul: Vowel is a type of speech sound, foul means offensive or dirty.
18. Vial / Dial: Vial is a small container, dial is a control or to make a phone call.
19. Volt / Vault: Volt is a unit of electric potential, vault is a secure room or a leap.
20. Vex / Hex: Vex means to annoy, hex is a curse or spell.
W
1. Way / Weigh: Way refers to a path, weigh means to measure weight.
2. Wear / Where: Wear means to put on clothing, where refers to location.
3. Weak / Week: Weak means lacking strength, week is seven days.
4. Wood / Would: Wood refers to timber, would is a conditional verb.
5. War / Wore: War means conflict, wore is the past of "wear."
6. Waste / Waist: Waste means to misuse or garbage, waist is part of the body.
7. Witch / Which: Witch is someone who practices magic, which is used to choose or specify.
8. Weather / Whether: Weather refers to atmospheric conditions, whether expresses a choice or condition.
9. Write / Right / Rite: Write means to compose text, right means correct or a direction, rite is a ceremony.
10. Wave / Waive: Wave means a swell in water or a hand gesture, waive means to relinquish.
11. Whale / Wail: Whale is a marine mammal, wail is a mournful cry.
12. Ware / Wear: Ware refers to goods or merchandise, wear means to put on clothing.
13. Warn / Worn: Warn means to caution, worn means used up or past of "wear."
14. Wait / Weight: Wait means to pause, weight refers to heaviness.
15. Won / One: Won is the past of "win," one is the number 1.
16. Way / Why: Way refers to a path, why asks for a reason.
17. Weal / Wheel: Weal means prosperity, wheel is a circular object.
18. Wail / Vale: Wail is a mournful cry, vale is a valley.
19. Whose / Who's: Whose indicates possession, who's is a contraction of "who is."
20. Weather / Wether: Weather is atmospheric conditions, wether is a castrated sheep.
X
1. Xerox / Rocks: Xerox refers to photocopying, rocks are stones or to sway.
2. X-ray / Array: X-ray is imaging using radiation, array refers to an arrangement.
3. Ex / Axe: Ex refers to a former partner, axe is a tool for chopping.
4. Exit / Exet: Exit means to leave, exet is an obsolete form meaning to depart.
5. Exact / Extract: Exact means precise, extract means to pull out.
6. Expel / Excel: Expel means to force out, excel means to surpass.
7. Extent / Accent: Extent refers to range, accent is a way of speaking.
8. Exceed / Accede: Exceed means to go beyond, accede means to agree.
Y
1. Yoke / Yolks: Yoke is a wooden harness, yolks are the yellow part of eggs.
2. You / Yew / Ewe: You refers to the person being addressed, yew is a type of tree, ewe is a female sheep.
3. Your / You're: Your shows possession, you're is "you are."
4. Yawn / Yon: Yawn means to open the mouth wide, yon means over there (archaic).
5. Yearn / Urn: Yearn means to long for something, urn is a decorative vase.
6. Yarn / Yearn: Yarn is thread, yearn means to desire.
7. Ye / Yay: Ye means you (archaic), yay is an exclamation of approval.
8. Yaw / Jaw: Yaw refers to a side-to-side movement, jaw is part of the face.
9. Yoke / Joke: Yoke means a wooden harness, joke is something humorous.
10. Yore / Your: Yore refers to times past, your shows possession.
Z
1. Zee / Zed: Zee is the American pronunciation of the letter "Z," zed is the British pronunciation.
2. Zip / Sip: Zip means to fasten or move quickly, sip is a small drink.
3. Zinc / Sink: Zinc is a metal, sink refers to a basin or to submerge.
4. Zap / Lap: Zap means to strike suddenly, lap refers to thighs or to drink.
5. Zeal / Seal: Zeal means great enthusiasm, seal refers to a marine animal or an official stamp.
6. Zone / Bone: Zone refers to an area, bone is part of the skeleton.
7. Zest / Rest: Zest means enthusiasm or a citrus peel, rest means relaxation or remainder.
8. Zebra / Debra: Zebra is an animal, Debra is a name.
9. Zenith / Beneath: Zenith means the highest point, beneath means under.
10. Zip / Tip: Zip means fasten or move quickly, tip is advice or the end of something.