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Their VS They're VS There


They're = They Are
Their = Possessive
There = Location

They're going to their house over there.



Your Vs You're

You're = You are
Your = Possessive

You're grabbing your backpack.



It's VS Its

It's is a contraction for it is or it has.
Its is a possessive pronoun meaning, more or less, of it or belonging to it.
And there is absolutely, positively, no such word as its'.

Examples: It's late.
The dog likes its bone.




Affect Vs. Effect


"Affect" is usually a verb meaning "to influence".
The drug did not affect the disease.

"Effect" is usually a noun meaning "result".
The drug has many adverse side effects.

The dog was affected by the heat. It had a strange effect.
 



Who VS Whom

Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct.
he = who
him = whom
Examples: Who wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct.

For whom should I vote?
Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct.

We all know (who/whom) pulled that prank.
This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct.




That vs. Which


Who refers to people. That and which refer to groups or things.
Examples: Anya is the one who rescued the bird.
Lokua is on the team that won first place.

That introduces essential clauses while which introduces nonessential clauses.

Examples: I do not trust products that claim "all natural ingredients" because this phrase can mean almost anything.
We would not know which products were being discussed without the that clause.
The product claiming "all natural ingredients," which appeared in the Sunday newspaper, is on sale.
The product is already identified. Therefore, which begins a nonessential clause.

NOTE: Essential clauses do not have commas surrounding them while nonessential clauses are surrounded by commas.




Problems with Prepositions

Rule 1.

You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.

Examples:
Correct: Where did he go?
Incorrect: Where did he go to?

Correct: Where did you get this?
Incorrect: Where did you get this at?

Correct: Cut it into small pieces.
Incorrect: Cut it up into small pieces.

Generally use the “less is more” rule with prepositions. If you don't need it, dont use it.


Rule 2. Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence.
Examples: He was born on December 23.
We will arrive on the fourth.


Rule 3. Of should never be used in place of have.
Correct: I should have done it.
Incorrect: I should of done it.


Rule 4. Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more.
Examples: Divide the candy between the two of you.
Divide the candy among the three of you.



Comma Abuse

Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and unexpected pauses.

-Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

Incorrect:An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult.
Incorrect:The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex actions.


- Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

Incorrect:We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.
Incorrect:I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car.


- Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

Incorrect (compound subject):The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married.
Incorrect (compound object):Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.

-Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

Incorrect (extreme contrast):She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. (incorrect)
Incorrect:The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.

Correct:She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.(This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)

Note: We'll have a whole lesson JUST on Comma use soon.

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Think you're missusing a word? Check here?




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Writing Prompt:

Write a sentence using they're, your, its and whom.

Write a sentence using their, you're, it's, and who.

Write a sentence using that.
Write a sentence using which.

Be sure that your commas are correct for all your examples as well.


Bonus Writing prompt: Using the link posted above, find a pair of words that you have been misusing without realizing it.

What are the words?
what is the proper use of the words?
Write a sentence using them correctly.


As always any feedback and suggestions are appreciated.
Questions are encouraged.