difference between homework or housework

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• Confused Words

Confused Words: Homework vs. Housework

Hi learners! Today we’ll delve into an interesting English language topic. We’re going to differentiate between the terms “ Homework ” and “ Housework “. Both words seem similar but have distinct meanings and uses. Let’s go!

“ Homework ” (IPA: /ˈhoʊmˌwɜːrk/) refers to tasks assigned to students by their teachers, intended to be completed outside of class, generally at home.

Here are 10 examples:

• The teacher gave us a lot of homework today. (The teacher assigned many tasks)
• I need to finish my math homework before dinner. (I need to complete my math tasks)
• She is diligent about completing her homework every day. (She is conscientious about doing her school assignments)
• He stayed up late to complete his homework . (He stayed up late to finish his school tasks)
• Can you help me with my English homework ? (Can you help me with my English assignments)
• I have homework over the weekend. (I have school tasks to do over the weekend)
• She forgot her homework at home. (She forgot her school assignments at home)
• He was punished for not doing his homework . (He was punished for not completing his school tasks)
• The homework is due tomorrow. (The school tasks need to be completed by tomorrow)
• Our homework involves researching climate change. (Our school assignment involves researching climate change)

Housework ” (IPA: /ˈhaʊsˌwɜːrk/), on the other hand , refers to the general cleaning or maintenance tasks done in a house or apartment.

• I have a lot of housework to do this weekend. (I have many cleaning or maintenance tasks)
• He helps his mother with the housework . (He assists his mother with home chores)
• She dislikes doing housework . (She dislikes cleaning and maintaining the house)
• Can you help me with the housework ? (Can you help me with the home chores)
• We share the housework equally. (We share the cleaning and maintenance tasks)
• He hired a maid to do the housework . (He hired a maid to perform the home chores)
• Washing dishes is part of my housework . (Washing dishes is one of my home chores)
• She does the housework every Sunday. (She does the home chores every Sunday)
• I finished my housework early today. (I finished my cleaning and maintenance tasks early)
• They believe in sharing housework responsibilities. (They believe in sharing home chores)

The distinction between “ Homework ” and “ Housework ” is now clear. “Homework” refers to school assignments completed outside the class, while “Housework” refers to cleaning or maintenance tasks performed at home. Understanding these differences will help refine your English usage.

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Difference between HOMEWORK and HOUSEWORK

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What’s the difference between homework and housework ?

These two words seem practically identical, but they actually have separate meanings and uses. I’ll clarify that in today’s lesson, so that you can be sure to use the right word.

And at the end I’ll also tell you about a common mistake that English learners often make with homework and housework.

How to use HOMEWORK in English

Homework refers to schoolwork that you do at home.

So if you’re in class, your teacher might give you homework – maybe a worksheet, maybe a book/article to read, maybe an exercise to do or something to research – and then you do that homework outside of class, at home.

Homework is usually extra practice or an additional assignment to help you practice what you learned inside class, or take your learning further.

How to use HOUSEWORK in English

Housework refers to the physical tasks that are necessary to take care of your house or apartment , the place where you live. We usually use housework to refer to cooking, cleaning, and laundry (washing your clothes).

So homework is schoolwork you do at home, and housework involves maintaining your living space.

What about “chores”?

One of my students asked if the word chores means the same thing as housework.

Yes – chores is another word we can use for those things that you have to do around the house. Washing dishes, sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilet, and so on. You probably don’t really enjoy them, but they need to get done.

And it’s also common to use this word chores you have a parent who makes their children help with these tasks. So the parent would say, “you have to do your chores.” You need to do those things around the house that you’re responsible for, like cleaning up your room or maybe helping with the laundry.

HOMEWORK and HOUSEWORK are always singular!

Now here’s an important detail – the word chore is countable, so you can have one chore, two chores, three chores, or a lot of chores to do.

But homework and housework are BOTH considered uncountable . So we always use them in the singular, always homework and housework, never homeworks or houseworks.

They are singular even when they refer to multiple tasks. So even if you have multiple assignments to do and multiple things to do in your house, it’s still only homework and housework.

You can talk about general quantity by saying a little homework/housework or a lot of homework/housework – but don’t use numbers, like “three homeworks,” and don’t add an S, “a lot of houseworks” – it’s not correct.

WORK / WORKS

This rule also applies to the word “work” – most of the time it’s singular.

Don’t say “I have a lot of works to do.” – the correct way would be “I have a lot of work to do.” You can say tasks, you can say projects, you can say assignments, you can say things – those can all be plural, but work is typically singular.

There’s one situation where we can say “works” and that’s specifically when we’re talking about works of art, works of music, or works of literature. So when we’re talking about productions in the artistic world, then sometimes we use works in the plural. For example, this is one of Picasso’s greatest works of art.

But in everyday life, when talking about the work you have to do, it’s always work, singular and same with homework and housework, singular.

Now you know the difference between homework and housework – and remember, doing homework is really important for reviewing and practicing what you learn!

A lot of our courses at Espresso English include homework. Sometimes that’s a quiz so you can test yourself on the lesson, and sometimes the homework is a writing task or speaking task where you can send your answers to our teaching team and get correction and feedback.

Our students often find this the most valuable part of our courses, because then you’re not just watching or reading or listening to me in English, but you’re also using English yourself. It really makes a difference in helping you learn and remember better.

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Shayna Oliveira

Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

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Homework vs. housework.

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Jan 18, 2021

What’s the difference between  homework  and  housework ? These two words seem practically identical, but they actually have separate meanings and uses. I’ll explain in today’s lesson, so that you can be sure to use the right word. And at the end I’ll also tell you about a common mistake that English learners often make with homework and housework.

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What is the difference between Housework and Homework ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

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• English (UK)

Homework is something that is usually assigned by a teacher, school or class where you are learning something. • I need to do my Math homework • The teacher assigned a lot of homework to the students Housework refers to the chores or tasks you do at home, for example sweeping the floor, cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, washing the dishes

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• What is the difference ...

Learn the Difference

Difference Between Homework and Housework

Intermediate

What’s the difference between  homework  and  housework ?

And at the end I’ll also tell you about a common mistake that English learners often make with homework and housework.

How To Use HOMEWORK In English

Homework refers to  schoolwork that you do at home.

So if you’re in class, your teacher might give you homework – maybe a worksheet, maybe a book/article to read, maybe an exercise to do or something to research – and then you do that homework outside of class, at home.

Homework is usually extra practice or an additional assignment to help you practice what you learned inside class, or take your learning further.

How To Use HOUSEWORK In English

Housework refers to the  physical tasks that are necessary to take care of your house or apartment , the place where you live. We usually use housework to refer to cooking, cleaning, and laundry (washing your clothes).

So homework is schoolwork you do at home, and housework involves maintaining your living space.

What About “Chores”?

One of my students asked if the word  chores  means the same thing as housework.

Yes – chores is another word we can use for those things that you have to do around the house. Washing dishes, sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilet, and so on. You probably don’t really enjoy them, but they need to get done.

And it’s also common to use this word chores you have a parent who makes their children help with these tasks. So the parent would say, “you have to do your chores.” You need to do those things around the house that you’re responsible for, like cleaning up your room or maybe helping with the laundry.

HOMEWORK And HOUSEWORK Are Always Singular!

Now here’s an important detail – the word chore is countable, so you can have one chore, two chores, three chores, or a lot of chores to do.

But homework and housework are BOTH considered  uncountable . So we  always  use them in the singular, always homework and housework,  never  homeworks or houseworks.

They are singular  even when they refer to multiple tasks.  So even if you have multiple assignments to do and multiple things to do in your house, it’s still only homework and housework.

You can talk about general quantity by saying  a little homework/housework or a lot of homework/housework  – but don’t use numbers, like “three homeworks,” and don’t add an S, “a lot of houseworks” – it’s not correct.

WORK / WORKS

This rule also applies to the word “work” – most of the time it’s singular.

Don’t say “I have a lot of  works  to do.” – the correct way would be “I have a lot of  work  to do.” You can say tasks, you can say projects, you can say assignments, you can say things – those can all be plural, but work is typically singular.

There’s one situation where we can say “works” and that’s specifically when we’re talking about works of art, works of music, or works of literature. So when we’re talking about productions in the artistic world, then sometimes we use works in the plural. For example, this is  one of Picasso’s greatest works of art.

But in everyday life, when talking about the work you have to do, it’s always work, singular and same with homework and housework, singular.

Now you know the difference between homework and housework – and remember, doing homework is really important for reviewing and practicing what you learn!

Course Curriculum

• Difference Between Homework and Housework 20 mins
• Difference Between Accept and Except 20 mins
• Difference Between Ad and Add 10 mins
• Difference Between Adapt and Adopt 30 mins

What is the difference between homework and housework ?

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do housework or do one's housework

• Thread starter Roger Wang
• Start date Jan 12, 2023

• Jan 12, 2023

Should you do housework? or Should you do your housework? Which is correct?  

Senior Member

What's the context, Roger Wang?  

Roger Wang said: Should you do housework? or Should you do your housework? Which is correct? Click to expand...

or I asked my associate,a youg guy.  

I'm sorry, I can't think of a situation in which I'd say either of your two options, though I suppose the phrase "do your housework" is generally less likely than "do housework". Can you explain in other words what you want your question to mean?  

Loob said: I'm sorry, I can't think of a situation in which I'd say either of your two options, though I suppose the phrase "do your housework" is generally less likely than "do housework". Can you explain in other words what you want your question to mean? Click to expand...

It's the "should" in "Should you do [your] housework?" that's the problem, Roger.  

please tell me how to correct it  

There's no 'correction' involved - both your original questions are grammatically correct: It's simply unclear what you intend the questions to mean. Why would you ask the question, and in what context?  

I'd like to know something like: My wife does her housework every day. or My wife does the housework every day. or My wife does housework every day. Thanks for your patience.  

Is your question about housework/ her housework/ the housework ?  

yes,thanks.  

I can't see any difference between 'housework' and 'the housework' - (the) chores to be done in the home. ' Her housework' sounds like the work has been assigned, by a superior. I'd prefer to use 'her share of the housework.'  

thanks a lot.  

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