I DON’T NO WITCH HOMOPHONE TWO USE?
There, their, they’re. Buy, by, bye. Than, then. Hear, here. Accept, except. To, too, two. Your, you’re. One, won. Its, it’s. Know, no!
I can’t take it anymore! My mind is a mess. I’m second guessing myself, I have no confidence anymore when it comes to what’s called homophones.
I so wish I would have paid more attention to what my dear English teacher Mrs. Nicholson (Avis) taught us in high school. I was mostly asleep in her English class. Really the only thing I remember about her English class was giving a book report and all I did was read the back of the cover for my report. I’m guessing she taught us what nouns and verbs are and about homophones and how to use them correctly.
I have a boss, son, daughter-in-law, wife, good friend and some Facebook friends that absolutely despise incorrect grammar, or the misuse of homophones. They are the gestapo police when it comes to English and I’m scared!
I do consider myself of average intelligence. I don’t know what my IQ is, but I’m guessing average! You know in high school I was a C student, got some D’s, never made the honor roll. But when I was at Alexandria Tech and Community College I was a straight A student! I really enjoyed college and learning while at Alex. I don’t ever remember having a problem with homophones in high school or college. Heck I was even voted “Outstanding Student” at Alex!! I was in Business management and Sales and Marketing. I got some good grades in all my classes, received my business degree and was proud of what I accomplished at college. So why is it that all of a sudden I am having difficulty with homophones? Is it an old age problem? Alzheimer’s?
I have come to a couple of conclusions. I’m surrounded by English majors in my life, all the above people that I mentioned are constantly around me and if I slip up once, I’m corrected on the spot. It’s like I’m gun shy now, I don’t dare write anything anymore for fear of the gestapo coming after me!!
Social media has played a major role in this as well. I make a grammatical error on a social media post and all of a sudden the whole world knows that Paul has a homophone problem.
So let’s set the record straight, I know what to use when it comes to most homophones. The only real problem I have is with there, their and they’re. And sometimes I have to think about how many O’s go at the end of to, or is it too? The others I really don’t have a problem with.
Boy, I’m really exposing myself in this blog, I’m thinking of deleting it, but I won’t because I know there (or is it their?) are people just like me out their (or is it there? Dang it!) that feel the same way about homophones and struggle sometime like me. If anyone wants to start a support group, please let me know. That’s a great idea, a homophone support group, then we can talk about how to deal with English majors that are in our lives.
