Homophones are words that sound similar to one another but are spelt differently
e.g. advice/advise and practice/practise.
Because they sound similar, it is easy to spell these words incorrectly.
Advice = noun = an object
I would like some advice about how to improve my work.
Advise = verb = a doing word
I advise you to work hard for your exams.
Now You Try
Complete the gaps below with the correct word and spelling:
- What do you [spoiler]advise[/spoiler] me to do?
- What [spoiler]advice[/spoiler] did you give him?
- I [spoiler]advise[/spoiler] you to get expert [spoiler]advice[/spoiler].
- He likes to [spoiler]advise[/spoiler] others but he never takes his own [spoiler]advice[/spoiler].
Click the question marks to reveal the answers.
Effect = noun = an object
Affect = verb = a doing word
When you think of the difference between these two words, think of the noun ‘the effect’ or ‘an effect’ and think of the verb to affect.
The effect of the music on the boy was hilarious. = noun = the effect
The music affected the boy in a hilarious way. = verb = to affect
Now You Try
Complete the gaps below with the correct word and spelling:
- What will be the [spoiler]effect[/spoiler] of this acid?
- The quality of leather will [spoiler]affect[/spoiler] the price.
- This weed killer will not take [spoiler]effect[/spoiler] for about ten days.
- The [spoiler]effect[/spoiler] of acid rain will be devastating.
Click the question marks to reveal the answers.
Practice = noun = an object
Are we having football practice tonight?
Practise = verb = a doing word
Shall we practise our times tables tonight?
Note: Practice and practise are pronounced the same but are carrying out different functions in a sentence. Whereas advice and advise are pronounced differently. When deciding which is the correct spelling try to think about the function in the sentence.
Now You Try
Complete the gaps below with the correct word and spelling:
- Are we allowed to [spoiler]practise[spoiler] running in the park?
- We have rugby [spoiler]practice[spoiler] tomorrow.
- [spoiler]Practise[spoiler] makes perfect.
- You must [spoiler]practise[spoiler] regularly; an hour’s [spoiler]practice[spoiler] per day is the least you should do.
Click the question marks to reveal the answers.