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Primary English · Year 2Chapter 3 · Common exception words and homophones
Year 2 · Chapter 3

Common exception words and homophones

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Spell the Year 2 common exception words, such as hour, climb and money
  • Find the tricky part of a word, and say what it sounds like
  • Learn a tricky word with the look, say, cover, write, check method
  • Choose sun or son, to or too, and there or their, by their meaning
  • Check a sentence for the right homophone

You should already know

  • Tricky words from Year 1, such as the, said and was (Year 1)
  • Spelling rules and endings, and sounds with more than one spelling (Chapters 1 and 2)

Where this leads

  • Nouns and noun phrases (Chapter 4)
  • Writing sentences that make sense, with checking and proof-reading (Chapters 11 and 12)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 English, Year 2. Content: Read and spell the Year 2 common exception words, such as most, find, great and because, Find the tricky part of an exception word, and the unusual spelling-sound link in it, Use the method look, say, cover, write, check to learn a tricky word, Distinguish between homophones and near-homophones, such as sun and son, and to, too and two, Spell a word from its meaning, and choose the right homophone for a sentence.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich two letters make the n sound at the start of knee?
2
FWrite the -ed word for hop.
3
FWrite the short form of I am.
4
FWrite the -ly word for quick.
5
FWrite the plural of baby.
3.1

How to learn a tricky word: the o that says oh

Year 2
Spell common exception words, using the tricky part of each one, Learn a word with look, say, cover, write, check
Video lesson: How to learn a tricky word: the o that says ohComing soon
A kitchen. Look at the tricky words in this section.

Most words follow the sound rules you already know. Some words are tricky. Part of a tricky word does not make the sound you expect.

These are called exception words. We cannot sound them out fully, so we learn them.

How to learn a tricky word.

  1. Look at the word, and find its tricky part.
  2. Say the word, and say the tricky part aloud.
  3. Cover the word.
  4. Write the word from memory.
  5. Check it, and fix any mistake.

In these words, the o says the oh sound, as in go.

WordTricky part
mosto
onlyo
botho
oldo
coldo
goldo
holdo
toldo
The tricky part is the letter that does not follow the usual sound rule.

Key ideas

  • Look, say, cover, write, check: the best way to learn a tricky word.
  • Most of these words have an o that says the oh sound, as in go.
  • Several of these words rhyme, so learn them as a group.
  • Say the tricky part aloud as you write the word.
Worked example 3.1.1
Write the word that means: more than all the others; the biggest number or amount.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    more than all the others; the biggest number or amount
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    most
  3. Check the tricky part. The o makes the sound in “go”.
    Tricky part: o
  4. Write the answer.
    most

Check. Read most and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The o makes the sound in “go”.

Worked example 3.1.2
Write the missing word: Gran has an   red bike that she loves.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Gran has an ___ red bike that she loves.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. not new; has been around for a long time
    old
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Gran has an old red bike that she loves.
  4. Write the answer.
    old

Check. Read the whole sentence with old in it. ✓

Watch out. The o makes the sound in “go”.

Worked example 3.1.3
Write the missing letters: c ld

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    cold
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 1 letter(s) in a row.
    1 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The o makes the sound in “go”.
    o

Check. Put o back in the box and read cold. ✓

Watch out. The o makes the sound in “go”.

Watch out

Watch out: the usual sound rule does not work for these words. Learn the tricky part, not just the sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to look, say, cover, write and check each word on paper. Say the tricky part aloud, as in “the o says oh, as in go”. Make cards, and test each other.

Exercise 3A  Practice: the o that says oh, and the method

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: more than all the others; the biggest number or amount.
(b)Write the word that means: just one, and no more.
(c)Write the word that means: two things together, not just one.
(d)Write the word that means: not new; has been around for a long time.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Put your coat on, it is very   outside.
(b)Write the missing word: The winner was given a medal made of  .
(c)Write the missing word: Please   my bag for one minute.
(d)Write the missing word: Sam   us a funny joke yesterday.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes colde. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes goald. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes hould. Write it correctly.
5
PSMia writes owld for old. Write it correctly.
6
PSPut these steps of the method in order: check, look, write, say, cover.
7
RAli says that old and cold have the o that says oh, as in go. Is he right? Explain.
8
RWhich word does NOT have the tricky o: both, cold or cat?
9
PSWrite one sentence with both. Then write one sentence with only.
10
PSGold, cold and old rhyme. Write a word from this section that rhymes with them.
3.2

The i that says eye, and the silent b

Year 2
Spell exception words where the i makes the eye sound, Spell words with a silent letter, such as the b in climb
Video lesson: The i that says eye, and the silent bComing soon
A school. Look at the words in this section.

In some words, the i does not make the short sound, as in sit. It makes the eye sound, as in my.

Words like find, kind and mind have this sound. Behind, child, children and wild do too.

Some words have a silent letter. In climb, the b is not said.

Eye has an unusual spelling. Its ey makes the same sound as my.

WordTricky part
findi
kindi
mindi
behindi
childi
childreni
wildi
climbb
eyeey
Each tricky part is shown in bold.

Key ideas

  • The i makes the eye sound, as in my, in find, kind and mind.
  • Child changes to children. It does not just add s.
  • The b in climb is a silent letter.
  • Eye is spelled with ey, and it makes the eye sound.
Worked example 3.2.1
Write the word that means: gentle and caring towards others.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    gentle and caring towards others
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    kind
  3. Check the tricky part. The i makes the sound in “my”.
    Tricky part: i
  4. Write the answer.
    kind

Check. Read kind and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The i makes the sound in “my”.

Worked example 3.2.2
Write the missing word: The dog hid   the big sofa.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    The dog hid ___ the big sofa.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. at the back of something
    behind
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The dog hid behind the big sofa.
  4. Write the answer.
    behind

Check. Read the whole sentence with behind in it. ✓

Watch out. The i makes the sound in “my”.

Worked example 3.2.3
Write the missing letters: clim 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    climb
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 1 letter(s) in a row.
    1 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The i makes the eye sound, and the b is silent.
    b

Check. Put b back in the box and read climb. ✓

Watch out. The i makes the eye sound, and the b is silent.

Watch out

Watch out: child does not just add s for more than one. Do not say the b in climb.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to the i in find and kind, and say the eye sound together. Then ask your child to point to the silent letter in climb. Practise writing the plural of child.

Exercise 3B  Practice: the i that says eye, and silent letters

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: to see or get something that was lost.
(b)Write the word that means: gentle and caring towards others.
(c)Write the word that means: the part of you that thinks and remembers.
(d)Write the word that means: at the back of something.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   in the park flew a red kite.
(b)Write the missing word: Five   ran into the classroom.
(c)Write the missing word: A fox is a   animal that lives in the woods.
(d)Write the missing word: Let us   the tall tree in the park.
3
FWrite the word for the part of your body that you see with.
4
FWrite the plural of child.
5
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes kynd. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes mynd. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes behynd. Write it correctly.
6
PSWhich letter is silent in climb?
7
PSWrite the missing letters.
8
RAli says the i in find sounds like the i in sit. Is he right? Explain.
9
RWhich word does NOT rhyme with mind: kind, behind or climb?
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word wild.
3.3

The a that says ah, as in car

Year 2
Spell exception words where the a makes the ah sound, in most English accents, Learn each word with the method, and check its spelling
Video lesson: The a that says ah, as in carComing soon
A park. Look at the words in this section.

In most English accents, the a in some words says the ah sound, as in car.

Words like after, fast, last and past have this sound.

So do father, class, grass, pass, plant, path, bath and half.

Some people say these words with a short a, as in cat. Learn the spelling of every word.

WordTricky part
aftera
fasta
lasta
pasta
fathera
classa
grassa
passa
planta
patha
batha
halfa
The a in each word is the tricky letter.

Key ideas

  • In most English accents, a says the ah sound, as in car.
  • Learn the spelling of after, fast, last and past.
  • Father, class and grass have the same tricky a.
  • Bath and path rhyme, but they are different words.
Worked example 3.3.1
Write the word that means: later than; coming next in time.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    later than; coming next in time
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    after
  3. Check the tricky part. In most English accents the a makes the ah sound, as in car.
    Tricky part: a
  4. Write the answer.
    after

Check. Read after and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. In most English accents the a makes the ah sound, as in car.

Worked example 3.3.2
Write the missing word: Walk along the   to the park gate.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Walk along the ___ to the park gate.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a narrow track to walk along
    path
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Walk along the path to the park gate.
  4. Write the answer.
    path

Check. Read the whole sentence with path in it. ✓

Watch out. In most English accents the a makes the ah sound, as in car.

Worked example 3.3.3
Write the missing letters: b th

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    bath
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 1 letter(s) in a row.
    1 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. In most English accents the a makes the ah sound, as in car.
    a

Check. Put a back in the box and read bath. ✓

Watch out. In most English accents the a makes the ah sound, as in car.

Watch out

Watch out: some of these words have double letters. Check every letter of each word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say each word aloud the way you say it at home, then look at the tricky a. Write the words in a list, and tick each word when your child can spell it from memory.

Exercise 3C  Practice: the a that says ah

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: later than; coming next in time.
(b)Write the word that means: moving quickly; not slow.
(c)Write the word that means: coming at the end; final.
(d)Write the word that means: the time that has gone by.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Ali’s   drives a big green bus.
(b)Write the missing word: Our   is painting a big picture.
(c)Write the missing word: We sat on the soft green  .
(d)Write the missing word: Please   me the blue crayon.
3
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a living thing that grows in soil.
(b)Write the word that means: a narrow track to walk along.
(c)Write the word that means: a long tub filled with water for washing.
(d)Write the word that means: one of two equal parts.
4
FWrite the missing letters.
5
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes fasst. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes lasst. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes graas. Write it correctly.
6
PSBen writes hafe for half. Write it correctly.
7
PSPut these words in ABC order: half, grass, fast.
8
RWhich word does NOT have the a that says ah, as in car: fast, path or cat?
9
RAli says bath and path must be spelled the same, because they end the same. Is he right? Explain.
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word class.
3.4

Other tricky spellings: ea, y, u, eo, o and a

Year 2
Spell exception words with unusual letters, such as ea in great and y in every, Learn words where a letter makes a sound you do not expect
Video lesson: Other tricky spellings: ea, y, u, eo, o and aComing soon
A garden. Look at the words in this section.

In great, break and steak, the ea says the ay sound, as in play.

In pretty and every, the y at the end says the ee sound, as in happy.

In busy, the u says the sound in bit. In people, the eo says the ee sound, as in see.

In beautiful, the eau says the yoo sound, as in few.

In money, the o says the sound in fun. In any and many, the a says the sound in pen.

In again, the ai is not the usual sound. Learn the whole word by its shape.

WordTricky part
greatea
breakea
steakea
prettyy
beautifuleau
everyy
busyu
peopleeo
moneyo
anya
manya
againai
The unusual letters are shown in bold.

Key ideas

  • In great, break and steak, ea says the ay sound.
  • Pretty and every end with a y that says the ee sound.
  • Busy has a u that says the sound in bit.
  • Money, any and many each have a tricky letter for its sound.
Worked example 3.4.1
Write the word that means: a short rest from work or lessons.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a short rest from work or lessons
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    break
  3. Check the tricky part. The ea makes the ay sound, as in play.
    Tricky part: ea
  4. Write the answer.
    break

Check. Read break and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ea makes the ay sound, as in play.

Worked example 3.4.2
Write the missing word: Ali feeds the cat   morning.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Ali feeds the cat ___ morning.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. each one; all of them, one after another
    every
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Ali feeds the cat every morning.
  4. Write the answer.
    every

Check. Read the whole sentence with every in it. ✓

Watch out. The y at the end makes the ee sound, as in happy.

Worked example 3.4.3
Write the missing letters: p ple

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    people
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 2 letter(s) in a row.
    2 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The eo makes the ee sound, as in see.
    eo

Check. Put eo back in the box and read people. ✓

Watch out. The eo makes the ee sound, as in see.

Watch out

Watch out: steak has an ea, and the ea says the ay sound. Say the word, then check each letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child which letter is the unusual one, then say the sound it makes, using the example word. For again, practise the whole word by its shape: a, g, a, i, n.

Exercise 3D  Practice: other tricky spellings

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: very big or very good.
(b)Write the word that means: a short rest from work or lessons.
(c)Write the word that means: a thick slice of meat.
(d)Write the word that means: nice to look at.
2
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: very lovely to look at; a long word with three parts.
(b)Write the word that means: each one; all of them, one after another.
(c)Write the word that means: having lots of things to do.
(d)Write the word that means: men, women and children.
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Sam saved his   to buy a new toy.
(b)Write the missing word: Do you have   spare pencils?
(c)Write the missing word: There are   stars in the sky tonight.
(d)Write the missing word: Please read the story  , Mum.
4
FWrite the missing letters.
5
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes greit. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes bizy. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes pepel. Write it correctly.
6
PSWrite the missing letter.
7
PSAli writes anny for any. Write it correctly.
8
RWhich words in this section have the ea that says ay, as in play?
9
RName the two words in this section where the a says the sound in pen.
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word money.
3.5

The or sound, the ow in hour, and the wh and ould words

Year 2
Spell exception words with an or sound or an ow sound that are spelled in unusual ways, Spell words that begin with wh and words that end in ould
Video lesson: The or sound, the ow in hour, and the wh and ould wordsComing soon
A shop. Look at the words in this section.

In door, floor and poor, the oo makes the or sound, as in corn.

In because, the au makes the short o sound, as in hot.

In hour, the h is silent. The ou makes the ow sound, as in cow.

Sure and water have an or sound too, in many English accents.

In who and whole, the wh makes the h sound, as in hat.

In could, should and would, the ould makes the oo sound, as in wood.

WordTricky part
dooroo
flooroo
pooroo
becauseau
hourou
sureure
watera
whowh
wholewh
couldould
shouldould
wouldould
The tricky letters are shown in bold.

Key ideas

  • The oo in door, floor and poor makes the or sound, as in corn.
  • Because has an au that makes the o sound, as in hot.
  • The h in hour is silent.
  • Who and whole begin with wh, which makes the h sound.
  • Could, should and would end with ould, which says oo, as in wood.
Worked example 3.5.1
Write the word that means: the part you open to go in or out of a house.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    the part you open to go in or out of a house
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    door
  3. Check the tricky part. The oo makes the sound in “corn”.
    Tricky part: oo
  4. Write the answer.
    door

Check. Read door and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The oo makes the sound in “corn”.

Worked example 3.5.2
Write the missing word: The film lasts for one  .

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    The film lasts for one ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a time of sixty minutes
    hour
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The film lasts for one hour.
  4. Write the answer.
    hour

Check. Read the whole sentence with hour in it. ✓

Watch out. The h is silent, and the ou makes the ow sound, as in cow.

Worked example 3.5.3
Write the missing letters: c 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    could
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The ould makes the oo sound, as in wood.
    ould

Check. Put ould back in the box and read could. ✓

Watch out. The ould makes the oo sound, as in wood.

Watch out

Watch out: each of these words has one tricky part. Check that part every time you write the word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to the unusual letters, then say each one with its example word. Do not ask your child to sound out these words: learn them by their tricky part.

Exercise 3E  Practice: or, ow, wh and ould

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: the part you open to go in or out of a house.
(b)Write the word that means: the flat part you stand on inside a room.
(c)Write the word that means: having very little money.
(d)Write the word that means: for the reason that; since.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The film lasts for one  .
(b)Write the missing word: Are you   that this is the right bus?
(c)Write the missing word: Please give the plants some  .
(d)Write the missing word: Do you know   is at the door?
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Ali ate the   cake by himself!
(b)Write the missing word: Yesterday I   run all the way home.
(c)Write the missing word: You   say sorry to your friend.
(d)Write the missing word: I wonder if you   like some juice.
4
FWrite the missing letters.
5
FWrite the missing letters.
6
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes dor. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes becaus. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes wohle. Write it correctly.
7
PSWhich letter is silent in hour?
123456789101112
8
RAli says the wh in who makes the w sound, as in wet. Is he right? Explain.
9
RName two words from this section that end with ould.
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word poor.
3.6

Words ending in -ove, and special words

Year 2
Spell exception words with ove, such as move, and words with unusual letters, Spell titles and names, such as Mr, Mrs and Christmas, Spell parents, everybody and even
Video lesson: Words ending in -ove, and special wordsComing soon
A playground. Look at the words in this section.

In move, prove and improve, the ove makes the oo sound, as in moon.

Sugar starts with su, which says the sh sound, as in ship.

Clothes has an o that says the oh sound, as in go.

Parents has an ar that says the air sound, as in hair.

Mr and Mrs are short words that go before a name. Mr is short for mister. Mrs is short for mistress.

Christmas begins with Ch, which says the k sound, as in kite.

In everybody and even, the unusual letters are the y and the e.

WordTricky part
moveove
proveove
improveove
sugarsu
clotheso
parentsar
MrMr
MrsMrs
ChristmasCh
everybodyy
evene
The tricky letters are shown in bold.

Key ideas

  • Move, prove and improve end with ove, which says the oo sound.
  • Mr and Mrs are short words for titles, and go before a name.
  • Christmas begins with the k sound.
  • Parents has the air sound, and sugar starts with sh.
Worked example 3.6.1
Write the word that means: to go from one place to another.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its tricky part.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    to go from one place to another
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    move
  3. Check the tricky part. The ove makes the oo sound, as in moon.
    Tricky part: ove
  4. Write the answer.
    move

Check. Read move and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ove makes the oo sound, as in moon.

Worked example 3.6.2
Write the missing word: We put up a tree at  .

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    We put up a tree at ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. the winter festival on 25 December
    Christmas
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    We put up a tree at Christmas.
  4. Write the answer.
    Christmas

Check. Read the whole sentence with Christmas in it. ✓

Watch out. The Ch makes the k sound, as in kite.

Worked example 3.6.3
Write the missing letters: p ents

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the letters that are tricky.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    parents
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 2 letter(s) in a row.
    2 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The ar makes the air sound, as in hair.
    ar

Check. Put ar back in the box and read parents. ✓

Watch out. The ar makes the air sound, as in hair.

Watch out

Watch out: Christmas, Mr and Mrs start with capital letters. Check the ove ending in move, prove and improve.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Look at each word together. Say the tricky part, and ask your child to write it on paper. For titles, talk about the names of people your child knows.

Exercise 3F  Practice: -ove and special words

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: to go from one place to another.
(b)Write the word that means: to show that something is true.
(c)Write the word that means: to make something better.
(d)Write the word that means: the sweet white powder we put in tea.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Put your dirty   in the basket.
(b)Write the missing word: My   take me to school each day.
(c)Write the missing word: We put up a tree at  .
(d)Write the missing word: The joke made   in the class laugh.
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word:   Jones is our class teacher.
(b)Write the missing word:   Patel reads us a story.
(c)Write the missing word: The joke was so funny that   the teacher laughed.
4
FWrite the missing letters.
5
FWrite the missing letters.
6
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes moev. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes Chrismas. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes clowthes. Write it correctly.
7
PSWhich title is for a man: Mr or Mrs?
8
RAli says Christmas starts with the ch sound, as in chair. Is he right? Explain.
9
RWrite the words in this section that have the oo sound, as in moon.
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word everybody.
3.7

Homophones and near-homophones: choose by meaning

Year 2
Distinguish between homophones and near-homophones, by their meaning, Choose sun or son, to, too or two, and there, their or they’re, by meaning
Video lesson: Homophones and near-homophones: choose by meaningComing soon
A farm. Look at the words in this section.

A homophone sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and a different meaning.

A near-homophone sounds almost the same. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

Read the sentence, then think what it needs. The meaning tells you which word to choose.

Here are some examples. Hear uses your ears. Here means in this place. There is a place. Their means belonging to them. They’re means they are.

Key ideas

  • A homophone sounds the same as another word, but means something different.
  • Choose by meaning: read the sentence and think what it says.
  • You hear with your ear. Here means in this place.
  • They’re means they are. Their means belonging to them.
Worked example 3.7.1
The   feels warm on my face today.
Choose: son (a boy who is somebody’s child) or sun (the bright star that gives us daylight).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    The ___ feels warm on my face today.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    sun means the bright star that gives us daylight
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    son (a boy who is somebody’s child) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    sun

Check. Read the sentence with sun in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Worked example 3.7.2
We walked   the park after school.
Choose: two (the number 2), to (towards a place) or too (also; or more than you need).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    We walked ___ the park after school.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    to means towards a place
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    too (also; or more than you need) or two (the number 2) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    to

Check. Read the sentence with to in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Worked example 3.7.3
Put your coats over   on the peg.
Choose: they’re (they are), there (in that place) or their (belonging to them).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    Put your coats over ___ on the peg.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    there means in that place
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    their (belonging to them) or they’re (they are) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    there

Check. Read the sentence with there in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Watch out

Watch out: a homophone sounds right, but the meaning must fit the sentence. Check the meaning every time.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read each sentence aloud. Ask your child: what does the gap need? Then point to the word that means that. Keep a list of pairs on the fridge.

Exercise 3G  Practice: homophones and near-homophones

1
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)The   feels warm on my face today.
Choose: son (a boy who is somebody’s child) or sun (the bright star that gives us daylight).
(b)Ali ate a sweet, juicy   at lunchtime.
Choose: pear (a round fruit, green or yellow) or pair (two of the same thing, such as a pair of socks).
(c)Mum mixed   with eggs to bake a cake.
Choose: flower (the bright, coloured part of a plant) or flour (a white powder we use for baking).
(d)Can you   the birds singing in the tree?
Choose: hear (to take in sounds with your ears) or here (in this place).
2
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)Sam   the race and got a gold medal.
Choose: one (the number 1) or won (came first in a race or game).
(b)We walked   the park after school.
Choose: two (the number 2), to (towards a place) or too (also; or more than you need).
(c)A   buzzed around the flowers.
Choose: be (to exist, or to live) or bee (a buzzing insect that makes honey).
(d)The   ran fast across the field.
Choose: hare (a wild animal like a big rabbit, with long ears) or hair (what grows on your head).
3
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)We paddled in the cold   at the beach.
Choose: see (to look at something with your eyes) or sea (the big salty water next to the land).
(b)The library is very  , so please whisper.
Choose: quite (fairly, or very) or quiet (not loud; calm).
(c)Put your coats over   on the peg.
Choose: they’re (they are), there (in that place) or their (belonging to them).
4
PSAli writes I went too the park. Write the sentence correctly.
5
PSMia writes Their going to the park. Write the sentence correctly.
6
PSBen writes I can here the birds. Write the sentence correctly.
7
RAli says there and their are the same word, because they sound the same. Is he right? Explain.
8
RWrite one sentence with hear, and one sentence with here.
9
RWhich word means the opposite of loud: quiet or quite?
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word two.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
The o that says ohmost, only, both, old, cold, gold, hold, told
The i that says eye, and silent bfind, kind, mind, behind, child, children, wild, climb, eye
The a that says ah, in most accentsafter, fast, last, past, father, class, grass, pass, plant, path, bath, half
Other tricky spellingsgreat, break, steak, pretty, beautiful, every, busy, people, money, any, many, again
Or, ow, wh and oulddoor, floor, poor, because, hour, sure, water, who, whole, could, should, would
-ove and special wordsmove, prove, improve, sugar, clothes, parents, Mr, Mrs, Christmas, everybody, even
Homophones and near-homophonessun/son, pear/pair, flour/flower, hear/here, won/one, to/too/two, there/their/they’re, bee/be, hare/hair, sea/see, quiet/quite

Can you…?

  • I can use the method look, say, cover, write, check to learn a tricky word
  • I can spell the o that says oh in most, old and told
  • I can spell the words with i that says eye, such as find and child
  • I can spell the a that says ah in after, past and bath
  • I can spell great, beautiful, money and other tricky words
  • I can spell door, because, who and could, and find their tricky part
  • I can spell move, Christmas and parents, and name the tricky part
  • I can choose the right homophone by its meaning

Key terms

exception word
a word whose spelling does not follow the usual sound rule, so we learn it
tricky part
the letters in a word that do not follow the usual sound rule
homophone
a word that sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and meaning
near-homophone
a word that sounds almost the same as another word, with a different meaning
silent letter
a letter that is written in a word but not said, such as the b in climb
title
a word that goes before a name, such as Mr or Mrs

Exercise 3Z  Check-up

1
Write the word that means: a time of sixty minutes.
123456789101112
2
Write the missing word: Ali holds a ball in   hands.
3
Write the missing letters: clim 
4
Ben writes wohle for whole. Write it correctly.
5
The   feels warm on my face today.
Choose: son (a boy who is somebody’s child) or sun (the bright star that gives us daylight).
6
Write the plural of child.
7
Write the word that means: to make something better.
8
Mia says that eye sounds like the ee in see. Is she right? Explain.
9
Which of these has the or sound in an unusual spelling: door, dog or bat?
10
Put your coats over   on the peg.
Choose: they’re (they are), there (in that place) or their (belonging to them).

Total 14 marks. Allow about 14 minutes.

Exercise 3X  End-of-chapter quiz

1
FWrite the word that means: a dad; a male parent.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing letters: w [1 mark]
3
FWrite the word that means: a long tub filled with water for washing.[1 mark]
4
FCan you   the birds singing in the tree?
Choose: hear (to take in sounds with your ears) or here (in this place).[1 mark]
5
PSElla writes sugur for sugar. Write it correctly.[1 mark]
6
PSWrite the title for a married woman. It is short for mistress.[1 mark]
7
PSWrite the missing word: I wonder if you   like some juice.[2 marks]
8
RMia says that there, their and they’re all mean the same thing. Is she right? Explain.[2 marks]
9
RWrite two sentences: one with hour, and one with water.[2 marks]
10
PSWrite the word that means: to go up something, using your hands and feet.[2 marks]

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