STAAR Prep: Commonly Confused Words

After their long run in the hot sun, the dogs are in the kitchen where ​ (a)   stretched out on the cool tiles.

• they’re
• there
• their

My neighbors are always complaining about the Heinmillers because ​ (a)   weedy lawn and barking dogs ruin the beauty and peace of the street.

• their
• there
• they're

​ (a)   sits Grandpa, dozing in front of a baseball game.

• There
• there
• they're
• their

The twenty-five computers hum in the lab as if ​ (a)   a church choir warming up to sing.

• they’re
• their
• there

Gilda and Shaunda spent all evening memorizing the names of human bones, so they feel ready to take they’ re anatomy and physiology quiz.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Answer explanation

They feel ready to take they are anatomy and physiology quiz? Of course not! That sentence makes no sense. You must choose another form, in this case their

Match the following commonly confused words.

• Possessive pronoun that means belonging to them

• THEIR

• If you cannot use they are in the sentence and have it make sense, you are using the wrong word.

• THERE

• Indicate location or be used as an expletive.

• THEY’RE

Because Kyle had eaten ​ (a)   pizzas for lunch, he was ​ (b)   full at practice ​ (c)   impress Coach Hayden, who was making football cuts that afternoon.

• two
• too
• to

Christopher managed to soak his sister Julie with ​ (a)   water balloons because the lazy sitter was ​ (b)   involved in her afternoon soap operas ​ (c)   notice their aggressive play.

• two
• too
• to

At night, the ​ (a)   hamsters made ​ (b)   much noise running on their squeaky exercise wheel. Sam plans to return them ​ (c)   the pet store and fill the aquarium with goldfish instead.

• two
• too
• to

Tells an action or destination = ​ (a)   ; says plenty or also = ​ (b)   ; a quantity = ​ (c)   .

• to
• too
• two