Mechanics: Common Mistakes

Homonyms/Homophones

A homonym is a word with multiple meanings. For example, a bank can be a place where money is kept or the area where a river meets land. Homophones are words with multiple spellings that are pronounced the same. Depending on your source, those definitions may be switched around or mixed together.

An easy hint when working with homonyms is that an apostrophe is indicating a contraction.

Some common problem words:

Their, They're, There

Their- This word shows ownership. For example: That is their bike.

There- A place. For example: The desk is over there.

They're- A contraction of they are. The apostrophe is your clue. For example: They're over here, meaning "they are over here.”

To, Two, Too

To- A preposition. For example: She is going to the movies.

Too- Means "in excess" or "also". For example: My music is too quiet, or He is watching the movie too.

Two- This is the number 2. For example: Two cats ran across the road.

Your, You're, Yore

Your- This shows ownership. For example: This is your profile.

You're- A contraction for "you are". For example: This is where you're staying.[meaning "this is where you are staying])

Yore- Time long past, in the past. For example: Days of yore.

Affect, Effect

Affect- A verb that means "to influence.” For example: The rain did not affect the game.

Effect- A noun synonymous with "results". If you're confused, substitute "effect" with "result" or "influence" and see if your sentence still makes sense. For example: The cause was the fire, the effect was forest destruction.[meaning "the result was forest destruction"])

Effect- Effect can also be used as a verb, meaning to cause change. This is where the two become confused. If you're unsure, substitute "effect" with "change".For example: You wanted to effect the school.[meaning "you wanted to change the school"]

Accept, Except

Accept- A verb that means to receive. For example: I accept your invitation.

Except- This word is a preposition that means to omit or exclude. For example: You're all invited to my party except Mark.

Ad/Ads, Add/Adds, Adze

Ad/Ads- Short for Advertisement. For example: Have you seen the Pepsi ad?

Add/Adds- to perform addition. For example: He can add the numbers.

Adze- type of tool. For example: He needed the adze to complete the project.

Its, It's

Its- Shows ownership. There is no such word as its', so don't say that. For example: A penguin is a bird known for its inability to fly.

It's- Just by looking at the apostrophe, you know this is a contraction. This can mean either "it is" or "it has". For example- It's cloudy outside and it’s rained.

Are, Our, Hour

Are- A plural verb form of be. For example: The dogs are outside.

Our- A possessive pronoun . For example: Do you have our reservation?

Hour- a measurement of time. For example: I sleep for 8 hours.

No, Know

No- Used to negate. For example: I said no when he asked me.

Know- To have knowledge. For example: I know the doctor.

Absolute Modifier Misuse

An absolute modifier is a word, typically an adjective, that is in the most absolute degree. Absolute modifiers cannot be modified or intensified any further. For example:

He is a very unique person.

This is incorrect. Unique means one of a kind. If something is already one of a kind it cannot be "very" unique or "totally" unique.

He is a very distinguished person.

This sentence makes the same point, only it is grammatically correct.

Examples of Absolute Modifiers

• straight
• opposite
• eternal
• identical
• infinite
• mortal/immortal
• perfect