similar sounding words (they're their etc.)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k, g
• Leerjaar 2,3

English pitfalls

Goals

After today:

• you know how to use words that sound very similar

Pitfalls (valkuilen)

they're vs their vs there

it's vs its

too vs to vs two

then vs than

we're vs were vs where

you're vs your

it's

It's = it is

Examples:

It's much cheaper than I thought.

I like cycling, it's my favourite sport.

I hate maths, it's so difficult.

its

(bezittelijk voornaamwoord)

Examples:

I have a cat. Its fur is black and shiny.

The school celebrated its 10th anniversary.

_____________ my birthday on Monday.

1. Its
2. It's

The sports club celebrated _______ 25th anniversary.

1. its
2. it's

Their/there/

they're

their / there / they're

their = hun (bezittelijk voornaamwoord)
They buy their school uniforms online.

there = er, daar (plaats)
Do you want to go over there? 

their / there / they're

They're = they are. Zij zijn (samentrekking)
They're my best friends.

Deze drie spreek je op dezelfde manier uit, maar ze verschillen in betekenis!

The children love _______ gifts they received for Christmas.

1. they're
2. there
3. their

______ my best friends in the entire world.

1. There
2. Their
3. They're

I live in the house with the red roof over ___________ .

1. there
2. their
3. they're

The entire class passed ____________ test.

1. their
2. they're
3. there

too vs to vs two

too = ook (meestal achteraan in de zin)

Example: Are you going too?

too = te (voor een bijv. nw)

Example: We have too much work to do.

too vs to vs two

to = naar

Example: Let's go to the beach.

to = om te

Example: You go to sports practice to improve and stay fit.

to = aan

Example: He gave flowers to his girlfriend.

too vs to vs two

two = 2

Example

The number two comes after the number one.

We haven’t seen each other for way _______ long.

1. to
2. too
3. two

Those ___________ makes a beautiful couple.

1. to
2. two
3. too

I’m sending cards __________ all my friends.

1. too
2. two
3. to

then

(toen / dan)

verwijst naar een tijd.

Example:

I had a red car back then.

Finish the test and then stop writing.

Turn left and then right.

than

(dan)

gebruik je bij een vergelijking.

Example:

I'm taller than my sister.

He ran faster than yesterday.

Sport is more important than watching series.

I’m a better sporter __________ my siblings.

1. then
2. than

We went to school and _________ we went to hockey.

1. then
2. than

we're vs were vs where

we're = we are

Example

We're the most popular students in school.

we're vs were vs where

were = was / waren

(verleden tijd)

Example

There were lots of people at the concert.

we're vs were vs where

where = waar

Example

Where are you going?

It's the place where I was born.

I can't remember __________ I've left my keys.

1. were
2. where

We _________ at soccer practice all afternoon.

1. were
2. where

you're

you're = you are

Examples

You're my best friend in the entire world.

You're going to the game, right?

your

(bezittelijk v.nw)

Examples

That is your dog, isn't it?

Your make-up looks beautiful.

Your homework is always done, good for you!

What's ________ favourite sport?

1. you're
2. your

__________ my hero!

1. your
2. you're

Finished!