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Do You Make These Mistakes in English?
By Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. | April 14, 2008
Some mistakes are so common in English that the average person may not even be able to spot them. As matter of fact, these mistakes are so rampant, especially on the Internet, that I frequently have to pause to sort out the correct version in my head.
Here are some of the most popular mistakes. If you are guilty of committing these common errors, here’s a chance to clean up your act.
- It’s or its
It’s is short for it is.
It’s too late to catch the last bus.
It’s wonderful seeing you.
Its is a possessive showing ownership by a nonhuman.
The cat licked its paw.
The store closes its doors at 9 PM.Hint: Before you use it’s ask yourself if you mean it is.
- You’re or your
You’re is short for you are. The apostrophe stands for the missing a
You’re just in time for dinner.
You’re looking fabulous tonight.Your is a possessive adjective, like my and our.
Your plate is the one on the right,
Download your course by right clicking on the link.
Hint: Before you use you’re, be sure you mean you are.
- They’re, their or there
They’re is short for they are. The apostrophe is in place of the missing a.
They’re ready for you on the set.
Are you sure they’re coming to the early show?Hint: Before you use they’re, be sure you mean they are.
Their is a possessive adjective showing ownership, just like my, your, our.
My neighbors painted their house an ugly blue. We painted our house a stately gray.
Some children like to separate the food on their plates.Hint: Before you use their ask yourself if you could use our in the same sentence. If so, you’re probably using it correctly.
There, like here, refers to a place or indicates that something exists.
Place the couch over there.
There are two cars in front of me.Hint: Before you use there, check to see if the word here would fit also.
- Affect or effect
Affect is a verb meaning causing a change or transforming.
Just one drop of sugar will affect the taste of your coffee.
Many homeowners believe a recession will affect their mortgage payments.Effect is a noun meaning outcome, appearance, result
The effect of sugar in my coffee was indeed gross.
The Recession had a profound effect on Mary’s mortgage.
Ready to clear up more grammar and usage confusion? Visit Grammar Monster.
P.S If you catch any mistakes in this post, let me no write aweigh.
Topics: English usage mistakes, achieving success, common grammar mistakes, common usage mistakes, grammar usage |