Homophoneophobia

It's my sickness...

Welcome, grammar students

and word nerds everywhere

today’s rant is on homophones ~

come, pull up a chair.

 

There is a different meaning

between words like wear and where;

don’t even get me started on

the trio: their/there/they’re

 

They are not interchangeable,

the words to, too and two

and you should always double check

using do, or due, or dew

 

Is it altar; maybe alter;

is the bread of rye or wry?

What do I shout to purchase stocks,

buy, or by, or bye?

 

An apostrophe in “it’s”

means “it  is”;  not possessive.

“Its” without shows ownership

(I know, I am obsessive!)

 

Your and you’re ~ another pair

with usage gone bizarre;

“your” means that you own it,

“you’re” is just “you  are”

 

If Mom gives you permission,

then you say you are allowed;

“aloud” means that you’re speaking ~

as in saying it out loud

 

There are so many homophones,

we could be (bee) here (hear) all night (knight).

Just promise you’ll be careful

when you sit down to write (right?)

 

 

Author's Note

The pet peeve ravings of a lunatic... nothing to see here... ;)

Reviews

[lMarling]

This would be perfect in a children's cartoon! great read and a very useful tool for teaching as well.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks! I think I'll post this one in my classroom next year - Ha! :)

[s y e]

Hahaha, this made me laugh. I have no excuses to use, except auto correct kills me. I swear I wanna kill it, but this is a good right... Whoops, write. ;)

~ Noodle.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Yes, autocorrect is quite a problem! Thanks, Noodle!

[Devanshu Rajput]

I bow down! To the homophone-phobia! The concept was appealing and embracing....Great piece I read in the recent times....I would say it as an innovative way to learn the confusing homophones (even for grown-up) through the poetic charm! Learned much :-)

take care...awesome!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Devanshu!

[Devanshu Rajput]

you are most welcome

[Vria P Crow]

INTRODUCTION

Laughing my A*s Off!

CONTENT

I concur! I think I can speak for myself and the Cafe that homophones can be pesky pet peeves. Grammatical errors are common. However, the usage of Language can "alter" the meaning. I am honestly frustrated with Young Adult books because they consider Instant Messaging to be a work of reading material.

Well done fellow Grammar Nazi! ;)

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Yes, the English teacher in me just has to come out sometimes! Thanks, Ria!

[Vria P Crow]

Your welcome, Rita!

That is what I was going for in college, but I changed my mind! I have an unlimited respect for English teachers.

[ANTO]

I (eye) must be (bee) more (mohair) attentive in class
I (eye) must be (bee) more (mohair) attentive in class
I (eye) must be (bee) more (mohair) attentive in class
I (eye) must be (bee) more (mohair) attentive in class
I (eye) must be (bee) more (mohair) attentive in class

Brilliant work Rita - funny, educational and well executed.
X

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Good job, Anto! You may now sit back down... ;) Thank you!

[ANTO]

Thank you miss. lol
X

[Pete Langley]

This is not a good poem....it`s (its) a great poem....that should be up as a poster in every English class NOT just as a lesson in grammar but as advertisement for poetry. A gem, Rita. P.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Pete! I may indeed make this required reading in my classes next year... ;)

[icelandicblue]

I teach 4th grade so trust me I feel this one. I tell the kids that if they don't retain everything I teach I insist they know your and you're because I never want to get an invitation that says "your invited." I have seen my share of adults do this over the years (birthday parties for their kids). I tell the kids everyone will think you are illiterate and you don't want that. Great write filled with humor.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! I teach 7th grade - and have similar discussions with my students about seeming illiterate. :) Thank you for reading and reviewing!

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha! thanks for giving my heart a lighter breeze. and thanks for the reminder to be my own editor.
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thank you, E. Glad you enjoyed this!

[Beccy]

This is grate. Eye two have an i for the detail, I've scene sum reel humdingers in my thyme and four me, just one glaring error can spoil the hole thing.


Beccy. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

LOL! Thank u, Beccy, 4 yer amuzin' re-vu! :)

[Petra Vlah]

This is great, Rita. Written English gives plenty of headaches to the natives, so imagine what it means to the rest of us. I once wrote a piece about the never ending challenge of this great language for foreigners and, believe me, it could be a nightmare. Since English has more exceptions than rules, mastering the language is close to impossible, no matter how much effort one puts into it

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Petra. That is true; there are so many exceptions in the English language. It is difficult or native speakers to learn all the rules and exceptions, so I can imagine the difficulty for someone coming from another language.