Its or It's? Your vs. You're. Who's or Whose? Their, There or They're -- Here's Help.
"SPELLING AMNESIA" -- the 21st century plague for bloggers and emailers.
Nothing shoots your image in the foot faster than typos and spelling mistakes in your public documents. If you have to stop and think about which spelling to use for THEIR, THERE or THEY'RE; ITS vs IT'S; AFFECT vs. EFFECT; or YOUR vs. YOU'RE... this handy spelling tutorial can help.
For more free tutorials, please visit New Radiance Tutorials.
The Biggest Spelling Blooper: Its versus It's
"Its" without an apostrophe - is a possessive, third person, singular adjective that typically relates to something other than a person. The noun it refers to was probably mentioned just previously (in this sentence, "it" refers to the noun "noun"), so you know what "it" is.
"Its" refers to something "it" possesses:
> The dog was so agitated, its barks were deafening.
> I picked a daffodil and its color reminded me of sunshine.
"It's" with an apostrophe - is an abbreviation for (1) it is or (2) it has:
(1) It's a foregone conclusion. It's raining.
(2) It's been proven long ago. Look at the daffodil; it's gone to seed.
The main rule to remember here is - the apostrophe takes the place of missing letters and represents a shortened version of a pronoun and a verb: "it is" or "it has."
No apostrophe means ownership of some kind - and no missing letters.
"Its" refers to something "it" possesses:
> The dog was so agitated, its barks were deafening.
> I picked a daffodil and its color reminded me of sunshine.
"It's" with an apostrophe - is an abbreviation for (1) it is or (2) it has:
(1) It's a foregone conclusion. It's raining.
(2) It's been proven long ago. Look at the daffodil; it's gone to seed.
The main rule to remember here is - the apostrophe takes the place of missing letters and represents a shortened version of a pronoun and a verb: "it is" or "it has."
No apostrophe means ownership of some kind - and no missing letters.
Using "Your" When You Mean "You're"
The Spelling Nag's Lament
"Your" is the second person singular adjective that relates to something "you" possess:
> Your clothes
> Your car
> Your outlook on life
"You're" is a contraction for "you are."
> You're going to be impressed.
> You're on the right road.
> You're going to love this new dessert.
> Your clothes
> Your car
> Your outlook on life
"You're" is a contraction for "you are."
> You're going to be impressed.
> You're on the right road.
> You're going to love this new dessert.
Essential Tools for Writers
These are the reference books I use.
- Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
- When my son started high school, we were required to get Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary for his English classes. I liked this dictionary so much, I bought a second one for my home office. American spellings; now in its 11th Edition. (See the Concise Oxford link below.)
- Roget's International Thesaurus
- I got used to the international format for Roget's Thesaurus in college. I've tried the others and ditched them fast. Get the hardcover - it's more durable and not much more costly than the paperback.
- Concise Oxford English Dictionary
- A quick reference for "British" spellings. If you want to get fancy, you can get an un-concise Oxford, but this one covers most of the bases.
- The Elements of Grammar
- This is a dandy desk reference for spelling, grammar and punctuation. Also for some of those other pesky words that sound alike but have different meanings... and those other words where it's easy to confuse the meaning with something else.
- How to Make Keyboard Symbols with the Alt Key
- Come visit my sister lens "Keyboard Symbols" for a free list of Alt Key symbols: copyright, trademark, French, German and Spanish accents, currency, and lots more.
- Latin Words and Sayings
- Jazz up your writing with Latin words and phrases. You'll find a tutorial on Roman Numerals, too.
"Who's" or "Whose" - Which One to Choose?
"Whose" is an adjective that essentially asks a question about the ownership of something:
> Whose shoes are they?
> Whose science project won?
> I don't know whose idea that was.
Who's is simply an abbreviation for "who is" or "who has." The apostrophe indicates missing letters.
For example, "Who's coming with me?" or "Who's the man?"
"Who's" - as in "Who's got the tickets" is a contraction for "who has." We could have said, "Who has the tickets," but we just as often say, "Who's got..." (which is short for "who has got.")
> Whose shoes are they?
> Whose science project won?
> I don't know whose idea that was.
Who's is simply an abbreviation for "who is" or "who has." The apostrophe indicates missing letters.
For example, "Who's coming with me?" or "Who's the man?"
"Who's" - as in "Who's got the tickets" is a contraction for "who has." We could have said, "Who has the tickets," but we just as often say, "Who's got..." (which is short for "who has got.")
Choosing the Right Spelling for Their, There and They're
"Their" is a possessive, third person, plural adjective relating to "something belonging to them" - as in: their house, their political party, their stupid rules of grammar - and the entities involved have been named earlier, so it's implied that you know who or what they are. What is being pointed out now is the house, party or rules "owned" by "them." You can just as easily be talking about daffodils, with "their" flowers shimmering in the sun.
"There" has a few meanings. It can mean a physical place: over there, go there - or it can mean a virtual place: stop right there before you say something you'll regret.
Sometimes "there" is used to express satisfaction, sympathy or even defiance: There, it's finished! There, there, you'll soon feel better. There! You do it!
And "there" is frequently used to introduce a sentence or clause: There comes a time...
"Hi there" and "you, there" are sometimes used when we don't remember someone's name right away.
To confuse the issue even more, there's a third usage that sounds the same but is spelled differently - "they're." Here the apostrophe indicates a missing letter. "They're" is an abbreviation for "they are" - as in "they're coming" or "they're not so big."
"There" has a few meanings. It can mean a physical place: over there, go there - or it can mean a virtual place: stop right there before you say something you'll regret.
Sometimes "there" is used to express satisfaction, sympathy or even defiance: There, it's finished! There, there, you'll soon feel better. There! You do it!
And "there" is frequently used to introduce a sentence or clause: There comes a time...
"Hi there" and "you, there" are sometimes used when we don't remember someone's name right away.
To confuse the issue even more, there's a third usage that sounds the same but is spelled differently - "they're." Here the apostrophe indicates a missing letter. "They're" is an abbreviation for "they are" - as in "they're coming" or "they're not so big."
Spelling and Grammar Reference Books
The Elements of Style (Coyote Canyon Press Classics)
Amazon Price: $3.90 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $3.90
The Chicago Manual of Style
Amazon Price: $34.65 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $55.00
A Writer's Reference
Amazon Price: $51.97 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price:
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses
Amazon Price: $8.76 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $10.95
Comma and Period - Before or After Quotation Marks?
Exclamation point and question mark, too.
There are many different ways to use quotation marks and, in this post, we'll look at sentence punctuation in relationship to quotations. In other words, does the comma, period, question mark or exclamation point come before or after the quotation marks?
(1) With commas and periods, the quotation marks go after the comma or period:
"I love you," said Mary.
John replied, "I would follow you to the moon."
(2) If you're using a semicolon or colon, you place the quotation marks before the semicolon or colon:
I asked you the "question of the year": do you love me?
Malcolm was "fit to be tied"; he had just missed the last bus home.
(3) With a question or exclamatory sentence, place the quotation marks after the the question mark or exclamation point:
"Do you love me?" asked Mary.
"You do love me!" Mary gushed.
However... if you're using a question mark or an exclamation point around a specific word, rather than enclosing a sentence, the quotation marks go before.
Do you even know the meaning of the word "love"?
It's a girl - and her name is "Mary"!
(1) With commas and periods, the quotation marks go after the comma or period:
"I love you," said Mary.
John replied, "I would follow you to the moon."
(2) If you're using a semicolon or colon, you place the quotation marks before the semicolon or colon:
I asked you the "question of the year": do you love me?
Malcolm was "fit to be tied"; he had just missed the last bus home.
(3) With a question or exclamatory sentence, place the quotation marks after the the question mark or exclamation point:
"Do you love me?" asked Mary.
"You do love me!" Mary gushed.
However... if you're using a question mark or an exclamation point around a specific word, rather than enclosing a sentence, the quotation marks go before.
Do you even know the meaning of the word "love"?
It's a girl - and her name is "Mary"!
"None Is" versus "None Are" - Singular or Plural?
When "none" means "not one" or "no one," we use a singular verb following it.
For example, "None of the presidential candidates is worth voting for." The singular verb "is" relates back to the singular pronoun "none" rather than to the plural noun "candidates."
But if "none" refers to more than one person or thing, you use a plural verb. For example: "None are so ridiculous as those who always think they are right."
Other words that give us pause - and create an abundance of grammar mistakes are: each, either, everyone, neither, nobody and someone. The verb following these words should be singular.
For example:
> Each of us is wealthy. (NOT "are wealthy")
> Neither Harry nor Sally is coming with us. (NOT "are coming with us")
> Everyone has his own opinion. (NOT "has their")
For example, "None of the presidential candidates is worth voting for." The singular verb "is" relates back to the singular pronoun "none" rather than to the plural noun "candidates."
But if "none" refers to more than one person or thing, you use a plural verb. For example: "None are so ridiculous as those who always think they are right."
Other words that give us pause - and create an abundance of grammar mistakes are: each, either, everyone, neither, nobody and someone. The verb following these words should be singular.
For example:
> Each of us is wealthy. (NOT "are wealthy")
> Neither Harry nor Sally is coming with us. (NOT "are coming with us")
> Everyone has his own opinion. (NOT "has their")
When to Use "Loan" versus "Lend"
"Loan" is a noun: I asked the bank for a loan.
"Lend" is a verb: Will you lend me some money?
Incorrect: The bank will loan me $1000.00.
Correct: The bank will lend me $1000.00 - or - The loan from the bank is for $1000.00.
Incorrect: I loaned her my best sweater.
Correct: I lent her my best sweater.
"Lend" is a verb: Will you lend me some money?
Incorrect: The bank will loan me $1000.00.
Correct: The bank will lend me $1000.00 - or - The loan from the bank is for $1000.00.
Incorrect: I loaned her my best sweater.
Correct: I lent her my best sweater.
"Lie" versus "Lay"
LIE:
One usage of the verb "lie" means "to recline"
>>> I am going to lie down on the sofa for awhile.
However... the past tense of "lie" is "lay"
>>> I only lay in bed for half an hour.
And... the past participle is "lain"
>>> I have lain in bed longer than I should have.
LAY:
A common usage of the verb "lay" means "to put or set down"
>>> I am planning to lay my purse on that table.
Past tense is "laid"
>>> I laid my purse on that table just ten minutes ago.
Past participle is also "laid"
>>> I have laid my purse on that table every day for a month.
Of course "lie" also means to fib, but that's not the one we confuse with "lay." And we could "lay a bet" or "lay a plan" or "lay the table for dinner," but these are not confused with "lie."
BOTTOM LINE: You don't "lay down" in bed, nor would you have "laid in bed for a nap."
You LIE down but you LAY something else down, when speaking in the present tense, which is where most of the mistakes come from with the lie-lay situation.
One usage of the verb "lie" means "to recline"
>>> I am going to lie down on the sofa for awhile.
However... the past tense of "lie" is "lay"
>>> I only lay in bed for half an hour.
And... the past participle is "lain"
>>> I have lain in bed longer than I should have.
LAY:
A common usage of the verb "lay" means "to put or set down"
>>> I am planning to lay my purse on that table.
Past tense is "laid"
>>> I laid my purse on that table just ten minutes ago.
Past participle is also "laid"
>>> I have laid my purse on that table every day for a month.
Of course "lie" also means to fib, but that's not the one we confuse with "lay." And we could "lay a bet" or "lay a plan" or "lay the table for dinner," but these are not confused with "lie."
BOTTOM LINE: You don't "lay down" in bed, nor would you have "laid in bed for a nap."
You LIE down but you LAY something else down, when speaking in the present tense, which is where most of the mistakes come from with the lie-lay situation.
"Effect" or "Affect"
When to use "affect" or "effect" confuses many people - for good reason. Since the 1400s, these words have been somewhat interchangeable, with meanings passing back and forth between them. In current English usage, here's how it stands:
"Affect" is mostly used a verb that means "to influence" or "to change."
> The state of the economy will affect people's buying habits.
> In many circles, your clothing affects how you are perceived.
However... "affect" as a noun describes a feeling or emotion and is a term used most often in psychology.
"Effect" is most often used a noun meaning "result."
> The effect of his naval training was a well-run ship.
> Every cause has an effect.
However... "effect" is sometimes used as a verb meaning "to accomplish" or "to bring about."
> He effected a studious demeanor, thinking it would impress his teachers.
> They hope to effect a settlement of the dispute before the weekend.
"Affect" is mostly used a verb that means "to influence" or "to change."
> The state of the economy will affect people's buying habits.
> In many circles, your clothing affects how you are perceived.
However... "affect" as a noun describes a feeling or emotion and is a term used most often in psychology.
"Effect" is most often used a noun meaning "result."
> The effect of his naval training was a well-run ship.
> Every cause has an effect.
However... "effect" is sometimes used as a verb meaning "to accomplish" or "to bring about."
> He effected a studious demeanor, thinking it would impress his teachers.
> They hope to effect a settlement of the dispute before the weekend.
Her Style Was Most Unique... NOT!
A common usage mistake in English is to use the word "unique" in a way that makes the noun it modifies seem not unique.
When we say "most unique" or "very unique" about something, what we're really saying is the thing isn't unique at all. The word "unique" means something is without equal or there is nothing else like it. So there is no "uniquer" option. A thing is either unique or it isn't. There is no continuum for uniqueness.
We wouldn't say, "Joey wore the most unique Halloween costume," implying it was just a tad "more unique" than someone else's. We'd say, "Joey wore a unique Halloween costume." It's giving credit where credit is due, so to speak.
When we say "most unique" or "very unique" about something, what we're really saying is the thing isn't unique at all. The word "unique" means something is without equal or there is nothing else like it. So there is no "uniquer" option. A thing is either unique or it isn't. There is no continuum for uniqueness.
We wouldn't say, "Joey wore the most unique Halloween costume," implying it was just a tad "more unique" than someone else's. We'd say, "Joey wore a unique Halloween costume." It's giving credit where credit is due, so to speak.
Here's the place for comments. Thanks.
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
