Grammar and Spelling 101

The English language is one of the most difficult languages to master. There are so many words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Their and there? There are several spelling and grammar mistakes people commonly make. Here's a little brush-up on them.

Its and It's

This is a very common mix-up. The difference between its and it's is that its is a possessive pronoun. What that means is, its shows a form of possession. For example, let's use this sentence: The dog carried its bone. The bone belongs to the dog, so it is a possession. On the other hand, it's is a contraction, or a shortening of two words, this one being it is. So, if you can use it is, it's is the proper one to use. For example, let's use this sentence: It's going to rain today. You can replace it's with it is, therefore, the contraction it's would be the proper term to use.

Your and You're

Once again, you're is a contraction. If you can replace it with you are, it is the correct usage. You're going to get in trouble. You are going to get in trouble. On the other hand, your is another possessive pronoun. It shows possession. Those are your shoes. They belong to you, so your is the proper word to use.

Lay and lie

This is a tricky one for many people. The difference between lay and lie is this: lay means to put something down. A direct object is receiving an action. You lay down your backpack. You are actually putting down an object, whereas, the word lie means "to recline". Lie down on the couch. No object is receiving an action.

Lose and Loose

The word lose means to misplace something, to fail to win, or to be deprived of something. Don't lose your lunch money. The opposing team is going to lose today! She's going to lose her friends with that attitude. The word loose means not restrained, fastened or contained, such as the sentence: The dog got loose this morning, or it could mean not tightly fitting, such as the sentence: The dress is too loose.

Then and Than