Commonly Misused Words A. Allen

Their, There, and They’re O Their means “belonging to them.” O There means “in that place” or “to that place.” O They’re is the contraction for “they are.” O Examples: O Their baby is sick. O They’re not going to get there in time. Grammar Section

Practice Write the sentence and put the correct their, there, or they’re to complete each sentence. 1. ______ getting ready to go shopping _____. 2. First, they check _____ grocery lists. Then, write two sentences of your own using the correct their, there, or they’re.

Your and You’re O Your is a possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. O Your is nearly always followed by a noun. O You’re is the contraction of "you are.” O Examples: O What is your problem? O You’re so annoying! Grammar Section

Practice Write the sentences and include the correct your or you’re to complete each sentence. 1. I think ____ lying. 2. ____ not bringing ____ cat to the party! Then, write two sentences of your own using the correct your or you’re.

GOLDEN RULE OF YOUR AND YOU’RE If you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.

Affect and Effect O Affect means “to produce a change” or “to influence.” O Effect means “the result.” O Examples: O Poor soil may affect the plants. O We won’t know the effect until the plants come up. Grammar Section

Practice Write the sentences and use the correct affect or effect to complete each sentence. 1. This drought will _____ the crops this year. 2. The dry soil shows the _____ of the drought. Then, write two sentences of your own using the correct affect or effect.

MOST GENERALLY, “Affect” is used as a verb and “Effect” is used as a noun. When something “affects” something, it produces an “effect” on it.

Double Negatives O The words no, not, never, hardly, scarcely, seldom, none, and nothing are negatives. O If you use two negatives, you create a double negative. One negative word cancels the other. O Examples: O There wasn’t anything to do. (correct) O There wasn’t nothing left to do. (incorrect) Grammar Section

Practice Write the sentences and include the correct word to complete each sentence. 1. We couldn’t see (anything, nothing). 2. I don’t want (any, no) cereal. 3. There was (anybody, nobody) in the house. 4. There isn’t (any, no) ink in this printer! 5. She hasn’t said (anything, nothing) about it.