Fixing Common Grammar Mistakes: Homophones and More
Unfortunately, I am one of those people that notices spelling and grammar errors to a fault. I try not to let them bother me, but grammar errors can be distracting at times and even take away from a point a writer is trying to make. I have settled on a few common grammar mistakes and focused on trying to rid the world of them without being abrasive or seeming like a know-it-all. This article is one attempt.
Two, to, and too. Simply enough, two is a number and is used for nothing else. 'To' is a preposition and indicates directionality. I go to the store. I try to improve. 'Too' means in addition or also. I love that too. There are too many grammar mistakes.
Their, there, they're. I was at a bookstore and above one of the shelves was a sign, on which was written 'get them while there hot.' Some grammar guru as annoyed as I was had gotten a pen out, crossed out the offending 'there' and replaced it with 'their.' Finally, someone who was probably as amused by that irony as I was crossed out 'their' and replaced it properly, with they're. 'Their' indicates possession. Their books are heavy. I am going to see their play. 'There' refers to a place. I would rather go there. Driving there takes a long time. 'They're' is a contraction of the two words they are, so this word is used to replace 'they are.' They're a nice couple. Get them while they're hot.
Loose and lose. 'Loose' refers to something that is not tight. 'Lose' is a verb and is what happens when you no longer have something that you once did. When you lose weight, your jeans become loose.
Your and you're. 'Your' indicates possession. This is your book. Your tie is ugly. 'You're' is a contraction of the two words you and are. You're funny.
Through and threw. 'Threw' is a verb, and is used when referring to something projected away. 'Through' indicates where something goes. He threw the ball through the window. People do not go threw a crisis, they go through it.
Many people do not care about grammar. I happen to think that it is important, particularly for writers and individuals wishing to get their point across intelligently. The five previously mentioned grammar mistakes are ones I see often, even within published articles in Associated Content. Fixing these grammar mistakes is easy, and will lend credence to anyone's writing.
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I work as a biologist, researching the effects of environmental change (contaminants, ultraviolet radiation, etc) on amphibians. I have a wonderful husband and two babies that I love to spend time with. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentAs a professional editor, myself, it is oh so irritating to see errors every day, every where I go on the internet as well as in my work. One that irritates me probably more than any is the use of the word ideal for the word idea. Oh my goodness! I just want to throw a dictionary at somebody! I'm not even going to go into it here because, to me, it represents the height of ignorance and poor education and nothing can turn me away quicker!
You and I clearly share a pet peeve (I taught English for a while, but my sister says I am cursed with pedantism... whatever!). I left "loose/lose" out of my AC article on the same subject (one of my grammar or writing tips), but that is one I see OVER and over here. Drive me up the wall, all of them!
I didn't know that that was what they were called but glad i get them right most o f the time.
Eye did knot no that was what they wore called butt glad eye get them write most of the thyme! ha
Great article. I see these mistakes and many other and can't help but wonder who proofread the stuff.
I reckon I have been at fault a time or two. Makes me mad when I see it. Speaking of mistakes, I often times transpose the middle letters. Irritating!
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This is a great article. I always mix up loose and lose. Thanks
;-)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! This has been bugging the h*&^ out of me. I wrote several articles in this vein (and hardly got anything for them upfront) because so many of the articles on this site are so poorly written.
:-)Happy Friday.......