Where vs. Wear vs. Were
Sometimes, we confuse homophones-words that are spelled differently but sound the same. Sometimes, we confuse words that are spelled similarly but sound different. But, what happens when you have three words that are confused often for both of these reasons? Where, wear, and were are three words that are often misspelled in writing, even though it seems that the writer understands that these words mean different things. Where and wear are homophones, while were is spelled just similarly enough to add confusion to the mix.
Where is an adverb that refers to a location that is at or in a certain place-sometimes a known place and sometimes an unknown place.
1. Where are you going?
2. That house is where I grew up.
3. There is now a school where my grandparents' farm used to be.
Wear most often functions as a verb that means to have on one's body or person; it can also mean to erode or damage over time. Sometimes wear functions as a noun referring to a specific type of clothing.
1. What did Bobby wear to school today?
2. My dad's running shoes began to show wear after many mornings of running.
Were is a verb that is the past, plural or past, second person tense of the verb be.
1. My parents were late getting home, so I was already in the bed.
2. You were reading my favorite book when I walked into class today, and I cannot wait to ask you about it!
These words are easily confused because of their similar spellings and similar sounds. But, their meanings are straightforward and very different. It's important to take care when you write and just think through which word you actually mean.
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