What is the Difference between Housework and Homework?

Housework vs. Homework

What’s the difference between housework and homework? These 2 words seem identical, but they have completely different uses and meanings. In today’s lesson we will learn how to use these two words without making a mistake!

Housework

The word “housework” refers to everyday tasks or chores that a person has to do around the house. For example: washing up, cleaning the house, washing dishes, ironing – all of them are housework tasks. Housework involves maintaining living space. If you come home and it needs cleaning you just can say “I really need to do the housework tonight”. Housework is not enjoyable, but it needs to get done.

Homework

Homework refers to school/college tasks that should be done at home. Homework is set by a teacher to be completed before a certain time. Homework is a task to help a person practice what he/she learnt in class. Example: Teacher gave us difficult homework exercises and we have to finish them by Friday.

Words ‘homework’ and ‘housework’ are always used in singular form even if they refer to multiple tasks. So even if a person has many assignments to finish, it’s still only housework and homework. Both ‘homework’ and ‘housework’ are uncountable.  

Examples:

I have a little homework to do for tomorrow. Let’s watch a movie now.

Our teacher gave us too much homework.

She’s got so much housework today.

I did a little housework today: washing dishes, ironing and some cleaning.

Test Time

Now it’s time to check your knowledge on HOUSEWORK and HOMEWORK. Choose the CORRECT WORD:

1) My teacher gave me too much ___ . I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish it on time.
2) He always helps me with ____: cleaning, washing the dishes and ironing.
3) My mom’s hands were roughened by____. She was always busy doing the chores.
4) I don’t have much Math ____ to do for tomorrow. Let’s watch a movie now.
5) I hate cleaning and washing up. Sometimes I think that I’m allergic to____.