Grammar Police here!
- Austin Huston
- Sep 20, 2014
- 2 min read
Hello friendly readers! Just your local grammar police here to make a Public Service Announcement:
In the english dictionary there are some words that sound the same (or similar) when spoken out loud, yet have different types of spelling. Shocker, I know.
I am here to share the secrets for all.
There, Their, They're.
There: Use this form of the word when talking about a place. Also use there with the verb BE (is, am, are, was, were) to indicate the existence of something, or to mention something for the first time
Ie: I used to live there.
Ie: There is my pen.
Ie: There is too much snow to drive.
Their: Use this form when speaking of possession.
Ie: That is their car.
They're: This is a contraction of "they" & "are"
Ie: They're sick today.
Got it so far?
Your & You're:
Your: Use this when you're talking about ownership.
Ie: Is that your coffee or mine?
You're: Contraction of you & are.
Ie: You're being unreasonable about this.
Comprende?
Then & than:
Then: Use when describing time.
I have to brush my teeth, then I am leaving.
Than: Use when making comparisons.
I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate.
This one REALLY grinds my gears. These are two different words.
Since & Sense:
Since: This works when starting from a time, in review of the fact. & can be used in place of the word "because."
Ie: I have been working there since I was 16 years old
Ie: Since you wont be at the party, would you like to get lunch today?
Sense: Use when describing the five senses.
Ie: That doesn't make any sense!
Ie: I sense that you're mad at me.
I do not claim to be a grammar genius. Commas, semicolons, those kind of things make me think.
However, I will tell you that these common grammar mistakes drive me CRAZY.
Take a few seconds before posting that you've "been up sense 5 am" on Facebook. Or that you "like Justin Beiber more then One Direction."
Got it?
If for anyone, do it for me.
Sincerely,
Your local (annoyed) grammar police.
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