Homophones in English are words that sound the same but have different meanings and sometimes different spellings too. Imagine two words that sound like twins when you say them out loud, but when you write them down, they tell you different stories.

That’s what homophones are all about in the English language.

1. Affect, Effect

• “Affect” is usually a verb meaning to influence, while “effect” is usually a noun meaning the result of a change.
• Example: The weather can affect your mood. The effect of the new policy was immediate.

2. Capital, Capitol

• “Capital” refers to a city that serves as the seat of government, while “capitol” is a building where a legislative body meets.
• Example: Washington D.C. is the capital of the USA. The Capitol building is located there.

3. Principal, Principle

• “Principal” refers to the head of a school or an amount of money, while “principle” refers to a fundamental truth or belief.
• Example: The principal gave a speech. Honesty is a key principle.

4. Stationary, Stationery

• “Stationary” means not moving, while “stationery” refers to writing materials.
• Example: The car remained stationary. I bought new stationery for my office.

5. Complement, Compliment

• “Complement” means something that completes or goes well with something, while “compliment” means a polite expression of praise.
• Example: The red wine complements the steak. She gave me a nice compliment.

6. Accept, Except

• “Accept” means to receive willingly, while “except” means to exclude.
• Example: I accept your apology. Everyone is invited except John.

7. Aloud, Allowed

• “Aloud” means with a voice that can be heard, while “allowed” means permitted.
• Example: She read the book aloud. Pets are not allowed in the hotel.

8. Advice, Advise

• “Advice” is a noun meaning guidance or recommendations, while “advise” is a verb meaning to give advice.
• Example: She gave me good advice. I advise you to see a doctor.

9. Already, All Ready

• “Already” means by this time, while “all ready” means completely prepared.
• Example: I have already finished my homework. We are all ready for the trip.

10. Bald, Bawled

• “Bald” means having no hair, while “bawled” means to cry loudly.
• Example: He is bald. The baby bawled all night.

11. Bear, Bare

• “Bear” is an animal or to carry, while “bare” means uncovered.
• Example: I saw a bear in the woods. Please bare your feet.

12. Brake, Break

• “Brake” means to stop a vehicle, while “break” means to separate into pieces.
• Example: Use the brake to stop the car. Be careful not to break the glass.

13. Coarse, Course

• “Coarse” means rough or crude, while “course” means a path or a series of classes.
• Example: The fabric feels coarse. I am taking a math course.

14. Die, Dye

• “Die” means to stop living, while “dye” means to change the color of something.
• Example: Plants die without water. She will dye her hair red.

15. Fourth, Forth

• “Fourth” refers to the number four in a sequence, while “forth” means onward in time or place.
• Example: Today is the fourth of July. The troops moved forth.

16. Heal, Heel

• “Heal” means to make healthy again, while “heel” refers to the back part of the foot.
• Example: Time can heal wounds. She has a blister on her heel.

17. Hole, Whole

• “Hole” means an opening, while “whole” means complete.
• Example: There’s a hole in the wall. I read the whole book in one day.

18. Hour, Our

• “Hour” is a unit of time, while “our” means belonging to us.
• Example: It takes an hour to get there. This is our home.

19. Knew, New

• “Knew” is the past tense of know, while “new” means recently made or discovered.
• Example: I knew the answer. She bought a new car.

20. Lead, Led

• “Lead” is a type of metal or to guide, while “led” is the past tense of lead.
• Example: Lead is heavy. He led the team to victory.

21. One, Won

• “One” is a number, while “won” is the past tense of win.
• Example: I have one brother. She won the race.

22. Plain, Plane

• “Plain” means simple or a large area of flat land, while “plane” is a short form of airplane or a flat surface.
• Example: She wore a plain dress. The plane took off on time.

23. Rose, Rows

• “Rose” is a type of flower or the past tense of rise, and “rows” are lines of things.
• Example: She rose early to see the rose garden arranged in rows.

24. Idle, Idol

• “Idle” means not active, and “idol” is someone you admire.
• Example: Don’t sit idle; be productive like your idol.

25. Pour, Pore

• “Pour” means to flow or cause to flow, and “pore” is a tiny opening in the skin or to study carefully.
• Example: Pour the water gently and pore over the text for errors.

Pay Attention to the Context!

Listening carefully to how words are used in sentences is really important. This helps you understand what each word means, especially when two words sound the same but mean different things, like homophones in English. It’s good to practice this so you don’t get mixed up.

Our app, Elsa Speak, is great for helping you get better at listening, saying words the right way, and talking in English. With Elsa Speak, you can listen to words that sound the same but have different meanings in different kinds of sentences.

This makes it easier to understand and remember them. The app also tells you how you’re doing with your speaking, so you can feel more sure of yourself when you use English.

If you want to keep learning, check our article 10 Ways to Learn English Fast and Effectively here.

For more homophones, click here.