early (noun)/ˈɜː.li/ — A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.
earlie, earl he, earl lee, earley, erly all sound exactly like early but have different meanings and spellings. Mixing these up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
early
noun
A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.
How to Remember the Difference
- → Focus on meaning first — once you know what each word means, the correct spelling follows naturally.
- → Write a test sentence for each word and save it as a reference.
- → When in doubt, look up the definition — if it doesn't match your sentence, switch to the homophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a homophone of early?
earlie, earl he, earl lee, earley, erly are homophones of "early". They sound identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between early and earlie?
"early" and "earlie" sound the same but have different meanings. See the definitions above for how to use each correctly.
What is a homophone?
A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling. Examples include "their / there / they're", "to / too / two", and "early / earlie". Homophones are a common source of spelling and grammar mistakes.
How do I remember the difference between early and earlie?
A good strategy is to memorize a short sentence that uses each word correctly, then recall that sentence when you are unsure. For example, focus on the meaning first — then let the spelling follow from context. Reading and writing regularly also helps these distinctions become automatic.