{"id":5404,"date":"2017-06-28T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-28T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arliemediadesign.com\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2025-02-27T20:46:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T20:46:09","slug":"10-commonly-made-easily-reversible-grammatical-errors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happy.co.uk\/blogs\/10-commonly-made-easily-reversible-grammatical-errors\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Commonly Made, Easily Reversible, Grammatical Errors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Writing is a key part of life in the modern world. Whether you are sending emails to a client, writing a Facebook post or messaging your next date on Tinder, the written word is an important part of how we present ourselves. Making simple spelling and grammar mistakes can have a huge impact on your credibility, and change people\u2019s impression of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While spell check has greatly improved in recent years, we can\u2019t always rely on these tools to spot our mistakes. Homophones \u2013 words that sound the same but have different meanings \u2013 are at the root of many common grammatical errors, and spell check can\u2019t always spot these errors for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we get to that, though, it\u2019s important to understand how and when to use apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apostrophes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apostrophes are placed before the letter \u2018s\u2019 to indicate possession. \u2018This is Ben\u2019s handwriting; I\u2019m making a list of the organisation\u2019s assets.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apostrophes do not appear when pluralising a word. \u2018Many ducks swimming in the pond; painted colours on the chest of drawers,\u2019 and not \u2018many duck\u2019s; colour\u2019s on the chest of drawer\u2019s.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apostrophes are also used when merging two words to form a contraction. \u2018They are\u2019 becomes \u2018they\u2019re\u2019; \u2018are not\u2019 becomes \u2018aren\u2019t\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while apostrophes indicate possession, the one exception to the rule relates to the word \u2018its\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its\/it\u2019s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Its\u2019 is used to indicate possession when referring to an organisation or brand. \u2018Apple increased its profits by 600%; Def Leppard just released its 11th studio album.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It\u2019s\u2019 (with an apostrophe) shows up only in contractions. \u2018It is time for dinner = it\u2019s time for dinner; I can\u2019t believe it is summer already = it\u2019s summer already.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, onto homophones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\/their\/they\u2019re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018There\u2019 indicates a location. \u2018The cinema is over there.\u2019 It\u2019s also used for stating conditions. \u2018There\u2019s nothing we can do; is this the only biscuit there is?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Their\u2019 indicates possession, i.e. something that belongs to someone. \u2018The beat writers created their own universe; the silly duffers left their tartan tablecloth here.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018They\u2019re\u2019 is short for \u2018they are\u2019. \u2018They\u2019re running late; when Arsenal lose, they\u2019re to blame.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To\/two\/too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018To\u2019 is used before a noun or verb. \u2018To run or to walk?; I\u2019m on my way to the station.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Two\u2019 is a numerical value. \u2018Two times two is four.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Too\u2019 means as well or more of something than necessary or desired. \u2018I didn\u2019t realise you were coming too; I\u2019m too old for badminton and you\u2019re too unwell to play.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your\/You\u2019re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Your\u2019 indicates possession. \u2018Don\u2019t forgot your bag of croissants.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018You\u2019re\u2019 is short for \u2018you are\u2019. \u2018You\u2019re not the boy you think you are; If you\u2019re not going, I\u2019m not going.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could\/would\/should have<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The expressions \u2018could of\/would of\/should of\u2019 are never correct. The confusion stems from merging the words with \u2018have\u2019 to form the contractions \u2018could\u2019ve \/ would\u2019ve \/ should\u2019ve.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I should\u2019ve taken the bus then I would\u2019ve made it on time and I could\u2019ve helped you redecorate.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then\/than<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Than\u2019 is used to compare one thing to another. \u2018Is Snoop really a better rapper than Biggie?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Then\u2019 signals one thing following another in chronological sequence. \u2018Let\u2019s have lunch first then we\u2019ll try to write a simple grammar guide.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affect vs. Effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The meaning of both \u2018affect\u2019 and \u2018effect\u2019 concerns change. However, one is a noun (describing a person, place of thing) and one is a verb (describing an action or occurrence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Affect\u2019 chiefly means to influence or make a difference to something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Rudeness has a major affect on my mood; a diet free of deep-fried Mars bars will positively affect your overall well being.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Effect\u2019 usually refers to the outcome of change, or to an influence. \u2018Better exam results is one effect of a disciplined study regime; I asked nicely, but it didn\u2019t have the desired effect.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bare\/bear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both of these words have a range of uses as verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Bear\u2019 means to support or carry. \u2018I bear the imprint of past failure; one more hour is all that I could bear\u2019. One of the most common mistakes is \u2018bear in mind\u2019 \u2013 when you want someone to remember something important, or to \u2018bear\u2019 that information for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Bare\u2019 means to expose or strip down. \u2018Elizabeth bares all in a revealing new interview.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bare can also be used an adjective. \u2018The week before payday, I eat the bare minimum to survive; I cleaned it up with my own bare hands.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

i.e. vs. e.g.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These aren\u2019t homophones, but they are commonly confused. \u2018i.e.\u2019 stands for \u2018id est\u2019, a Latin phrase meaning \u2018that is.\u2019 It\u2019s used to clarify or paraphrase what you\u2019ve just said. \u2018Hula hooping is not as hard as you think \u2013 i.e., it\u2019s not too hard once you get going.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018e.g.\u2019 stands for \u2018exempli gratia\u2019, another Latin word meaning \u2018for example\u2019. It\u2019s used to give weight to a story or explanation with an example. \u2018I prefer scenic drives, e.g. down the coastline, through the mountainous ranges.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully this list helps to improve your everyday use of grammar. No one\u2019s perfect, so feel free to let us know in the comments if you spot any errors in our list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n