There, their, they're.

[Michael B]

Rather than stomp on other people's posts with grammar correction I thought I would post something helpful for TBers to refer to.

There, They're, Their - The Easiest Way To Learn How To Use These Words

Any others?

 

[hrodbert696]

The funny thing is, I am an excessively educated guy, but in first draft writing I still use the wrong forms. I guess it just shows the extent to which I think phonetically. I have to go back and edit everything.

The grammar point I see confusing people the most is the apostrophe. Online and in lots of student papers, people have no idea when to use it and when not to. It's really simpler than people think; it represents letters left out. That's it. Or rather, that IS it. I think what confuses people is the possessive form, like "John's dog." But that's because people used to say, "John, his dog," so the apostrophe shows that you're contracting "his."

Maybe another would be "whom." Some people use it just whenever, thinking it automatically sounds smarter to use it than not to. It doesn't. "Who" is for the subject of a verb, "whom" for the object. Who threw the ball? And to whom did he throw it? That's all.

 

[carl h.]

Whats you're point?

 

[Michael B]

I usually have numerous typos on a phone. U, I and O get tapped incorrectly.

The easy test for who and whom is to substitute he and him. If you would say he, use who. If you would say him, use whom. You wouldn't say 'to he', but you would say 'to him' therefore use 'to whom'.

Many people don't think in parts of speech or the role of a word in a sentence. But they can get helpful tests if they learn them.

Knock knock..
Who's there?
To.
To who?
To WHOM!

 

[sharkbait130]

I see witch and which mixed up all the time. Same with brake and break.

 

[Bassamatic]

Adding apostrophes to things that are plural really bugs me. Such as "I saw two amp's". This is just rampant and so incorrect. People are really becoming less literate. I think it has a lot to do with texting. Seriously.

 

[Lobster11]

The grammar point I see confusing people the most is the apostrophe. Online and in lots of student papers, people have no idea when to use it and when not to. It's really simpler than people think; it represents letters left out. That's it. Or rather, that IS it. I think what confuses people is the possessive form, like "John's dog." But that's because people used to say, "John, his dog," so the apostrophe shows that you're contracting "his."

Interesting. I've never heard that explanation for the possessive use of the apostrophe. Where did you pick that up?

Anyway, the apostrophe thing gets a little messier when it comes to its vs. it's.

 

[mbelue]

So instead of grammer nazi making a small post and having it largely ignored.......you make a whole thread?

I'm not sure what the intent of this thread is. Most people aren't making grammatical errors out of ignorance. They do it because they don't care.
Either they didn't care when they were first taught, or its not worth their time/effort now.

Do you truly believe a different way of pointing this out is going to be received better?

 

[S-Bigbottom]

There's a problem?
They'er just using their words. There is a lot of misuse?
Or is there?
Or is they'er?
Or is their?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

"could of" or "should of" instead of the proper "could have" or "should have"

People mistake "could've" and "should've" as the previously mentioned.

 

[blastoff99]

It's
Its

 

[Michael B]

So instead of grammer nazi making a small post and having it largely ignored.......you make a whole thread?

I'm not sure what the intent of this thread is. Most people aren't making grammatical errors out of ignorance. They do it because they don't care.
Either they didn't care when they were first taught, or its not worth their time/effort now.

Do you truly believe a different way of pointing this out is going to be received better?

Absolutely. Learning little tricks like the who or whom can really help. Where pointing it out on a thread is like telling someone they are stupid.

Don't you have anything to offer other than 'this thread is pointless'?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

People really get angry over a spelling or grammar correction, but then they continue making the same mistakes. I don't understand that.

 

[yodedude2]

let us blame autocorrect.

 

[cdef]

Unwarranted use of commas almost amounts to a trend. Many people now habitually write "And," as well as "But,". It seems to be a way of adding imaginary emphasis to the conjunction.

 

[Tom Bomb]

I love it. To wit: it's its itsy-bitsy bits gits hits.

 

[mbelue]

Absolutely. Learning little tricks like the who or whom can really help. Where pointing it out on a thread is like telling someone they are stupid.

Don't you have anything to offer other than 'this thread is pointless'?

I appreciate the correct use of grammer and punctuation. Don't even mind when my shortcomings are pointed out.

A thread to complain about errors made elsewhere seems very passive aggressive. A bit of a slamfest or a "softcore hategroup."

I suppose the intent is what is important.
Which is what I came here to point out.

 

[Tom Bomb]

It ain't so mean if ya mean to mean well.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I appreciate the correct use of grammer and punctuation.

I think you mean grammar.

 

[Michael B]

I appreciate the correct use of grammer and punctuation. Don't even mind when my shortcomings are pointed out.

A thread to complain about errors made elsewhere seems very passive aggressive. A bit of a slamfest or a "softcore hategroup."

I suppose the intent is what is important.
Which is what I came here to point out.

I think you missed my point. Oh well. I thought that rather than complaining I would solicit tips on figuring out which to use.