One of the most frequent mistakes I find when correcting or reviewing transcripts is the misuse of homonyms, or homophones in the strict sense. Homonyms are actually words with different meanings that are spelled and pronounced identically, so they won’t actually be visible as typos or transcription errors. Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently, and that’s what keeps people hooked.
Instead of trying to give definitions, I have given examples of several commonly confused homophones, used appropriately in sentences, so that the differences become clear. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list in any way, nor does it provide definitions of homonyms/homophones. These are just a few examples that may dispel the confusion and hopefully won’t add to it! Homonyms are shown in [square brackets].
Examples of commonly confused homophones
[There] are two main characters in this show. [Their] the names are Bill and Ben. [They’re] he’s going to be jumping out of the pots soon.
I’ve got [to] post articles on this site. I’ve got [two] articles published on this site. I have articles on other sites. [too].
I do not can [hear] your. Why do not you come? [here].
I saw a [current] last night’s affairs program while eating some [currants]. The electricity for the television on which I watched the program was provided through an alternator [current].
The coffee [bear] woke up from hibernation. She had to go out drilling because the cupboard was [bare].
The smoke could not escape through the chimney because the [flue] Was blocked. The stale air in the room made me feel bad, like there was [flu].
a chicken is a [fowl]. When the chicken meat turns off it is [foul].
It’s [seems] as if the repair will never end. I have to fix the [seams] in three shirts.
I’m going to [pare] the skin of that apple. Two apples would make a [pair]. Would you rather have an apple or a [pear]?
Be careful when you [tow] that truck away. You can drive your car over someone else’s [toe].
I want to lose [weight] but I don’t think I’m going to start my diet yet. I’m going to [wait] until after Christmas.
look at her tiny [waist]. If she is not careful, she [waste] far.
[Who’s] that girl? Is she the one? [whose] brother dating sam?
The old lady was quite [staid]. Sometimes I went out, but usually [stayed] at home.
What is the best [route] to assignment? I want to go there and [root] pull out some weeds.
the lady of the [manor] had a pretty irritating [manner].
These are actually just a handful of homophones, but they are the ones I see confused most often in my work.