Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

BuzzFeed

How Well Do You Know Your Homophones?

"Whose" means "relating to or belonging to whom";
"who's" means "who is."

"Do you know _whose_ birthday cake this is?"

"Its" means relating to or belonging to it;
"it's" means "it is."

"The internet has decided on _its_ favorite _Star Wars_ couple."

"Than" is used for comparisons;
"then" means "at that time."

"These cupcakes are better _than_ a boyfriend."

"Affects" means "has an effect on"; "effects" is usually a noun, but it can also be a verb that means "makes (something) happen."

"Here's how birth control actually _affects_ your mood."

"Lightening" is a verb that means "making lighter"; "lightning" is the flashes of light during a storm.

"A massive downpour of rain accompanied the awe-inspiring flashes of _lightning_."

"Accept" means "receive"; "except" means "not including."

"Did you see Leo's face when Lady Gaga walked up to _accept_ her award?"

"Bare" means "remove covering from"; "bear" means "endure."

"Their constant chatter was more than I could _bear_."

"Faze" means "disturb"; "phase" means "part of a process."

"Once you're a parent, gross things don't really _faze_ you."

"Aid" means "help"; "aide" means "helper."

"My last job was as a teacher's _aide_ for a private company."

"Ensure" means "make sure"; "insure" means "get insurance for."

"This comfy couch will _ensure_ you'll never leave your home again."

"Chords" are the musical note combos; "cords" are the long thin wires.

"Julie Andrews lost her full singing voice after an operation on her vocal _cords_."

"Forego" is to go before; "forgo" is to go without.

" _Forgo_ the body spray or cologne altogether and rely on your deodorant instead."

"Elicit" is a verb meaning "bring out"; "illicit" is an adjective meaning "not allowed."

"Drake's sole reason for being is to _elicit_ thirst."

A hoard is a large collection of something; a horde is a large group of people.

"When you're being followed by a _horde_ of photographers, every shot counts."

A principle is a rule or belief; a principal is the head of a school (and it's also an adjective meaning "most important").

"Our philosophy is based on a fundamental _principle_ of love and respect."

Flair refers to style or ability; a flare is a bright light.

"To give a T-shirt designer _flair_, try geometric cutouts."

To elude is to avoid or escape something; to allude is to refer indirectly to something.

"This is the search for Britney's 'lost album' and the freedom that still _eludes_ her."

"Palate" refers to sense of taste; "palette" refers to an artist's tool; "pallet" is a storage platform.

"My husband has an extensive _palate_ and loves to try new foods."

"Shear" means to cut; "sheer" means very steep.

"The couple had their wedding photos taken on a _sheer_ cliff face."

"Discreet" means unobtrusive; "discrete" means distinct.

"If you have long hair, it's easy to have a _discreet_ undercut."

"Stationary" means immobile; "stationery" means writing materials.

"The store is paradise for anyone slightly obsessed with _stationery_."

A medal is what you get for an achievement; to meddle means to interfere; metal is the shiny substance; mettle is strength of spirit.

"To test her _mettle_, she conducted an interview by emoji."

A pedal is something you push with your foot; peddle means to sell. A brake is a device that makes something slow or stop; break means to fracture.

"She made the common new driver mistake of hitting the gas _pedal_ instead of the _brake_."

A team is people who work together; to teem is to be full (of something).

"The sun is setting at Burning Man, and the dusty avenues _teem_ with weird life."

To pore is to read intently; to pour is to flow or cause to flow.

"We _pored_ over the pages of the magazine."

To reign is to rule over; reins are the straps used to control a horse (or a figurative restraining influence).

"In due time, they shall take the _reins_ of their queendom."

Even if you forgo a solid understanding of homophones, people will still know what you mean, right?

You can't bear homophones

English may be teeming with homophones, but you get along just fine.

Homophones don't faze you

No misused homophone eludes you. You reign supreme!

Sheer homophone genius

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How Well Do You Know Your Homophones?

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How Well Do You Know Your Homophones?

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