Most Frequent Grammar Mistakes Solved!

Hers Hers is the third person singular feminine possessive pronoun - it replaces "her" + noun. Is this his or hers? I found a book - is it hers? I can't find my keys, but hers are on the table. Hers is a better idea. His and hers towels The Bottom Line Hers should never have an apostrophe. Her’s

Theirs Theirs is the third person plural possessive pronoun - it replaces "their" + noun. Is this yours or theirs? He found a book - is it theirs? I can't find my keys, but theirs are on the table. Theirs is a better idea. Their’s The Bottom Line Theirs is the only correct spelling for the word theirs.

Its vs. It’s It’s Its It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." It's time to go. Do you think it's ready? I read your article - it's very good. Do you know where my purse is? It's on the table. It's been a long time. Its is the possessive form of "it." That's an interesting device - what is its purpose? I saw Les Misérables during its initial run. This stove has its own timer. The bird lost some of its feathers. Where is its head office? The Bottom Line If you can replace the word with "it is" or "it has," use it's. Otherwise, it's always its.

Their, They’re, There There He's over there. Stop right there. Do you want to sit here or there? There is something strange going on. That guy there seems to be in trouble. Those there look good. From there, we drove to Boston. I'm not going in there! Their Where is their car? Are these their pens? Their books are on the table. This is their room and this is ours. What happened to their dog? Their being here is causing some problems. They’re They're going to be late. Is that what they're saying? I think they're lying. If they're ready, we can go. I can't believe they're not here yet! When they're older, they'll understand. The Bottom Line If the word means "belonging to them," use their. If you're able to replace the word with "they are," use they're. Otherwise, there is only one correct answer: there.

Your vs. You’re Your You’re Your is the second person possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is nearly always followed by a noun. What is your name? Your book is on the table. This is your chair and this is mine. What happened to your dog? Your being here is causing some problems. You're is the contraction of "you are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing). You're going to be late. Is that what you're wearing? I think you're lying. If you're ready, we can go. I can't believe you're a doctor! When you're my age, you'll understand. The Bottom Line If you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.

Then vs. Than Than Then Than is a conjunction used in comparisons: Tom is smarter than Bill. This is more important than you might think. Is she taller than you? Yes, she is taller than I. Then has numerous meanings. 1. At that point in time Will you be home at noon? I'll call you then. 2. Next, afterward Do your homework and then go to bed 3. In addition He told me he was leaving, and then that I owed him money 4. In that case, therefore (often with if) If you want to go, then you'll have to finish your homework. The Bottom Line Than is used only in comparisons, so if you're comparing something use than. If not, then you have to use then.

Whose vs. Who’s Who’s Whose Who's is a contraction of who is or, less commonly, who has. Who's watching TV? Do you know who's going to speak? Who's ready to go? Who's in the kitchen? Who's this? Who's already eaten? Whose is the possessive of who or, somewhat controversially, which. Whose book is this? Do you know whose car this is? I know a woman whose kids study there. Whose side are you on? An idea whose time has come. The Bottom Line If you can replace the word with who is or who has, use who's. If not, use whose.

Whether vs. Weather Weather Whether Weather is usually a noun: How's the weather? What's the weather like in Spain? Weather is also a verb that means "to be affected by the weather": That house is really weathered Figuratively, weather means "to get/live through": I know we can weather this crisis Whether is a conjunction that introduces possibilities or alternatives: Do you know whether he is coming? You'll do it whether you like it or not Whether you win or lose, you'll have done your best The Bottom Line Whether is more or less interchangeable with "if," while weather indicates the temperature and atmospheric conditions.

Everyday vs. Every day Everyday Everyday is an adjective that means commonplace, ordinary, or normal. These shoes are great for everyday wear. You shouldn't wear an everyday outfit to the wedding. Don't use the everyday dishes - it's a special occasion. Every day means "each day." I go to the park every day. I have to work every day this week except Friday. Every day I feel a little better. The Bottom Line Everyday is a single word and is an adjective, so it's the one that is used in front of a noun to describe something as normal or commonplace. Every day is an adjective (every) plus a noun (day), and it means each day.

Loose vs. Lose Loose Lose Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight or contained. My shoes are loose I have a loose tooth There's a dog running loose in the street Lose is a verb that means to suffer the loss of, to miss. I win! You lose! Don't lose your keys I never lose bets The Bottom Line Simple carelessness leads people to write loose when they mean lose. Just remember that lose has one o, and loose has two. Start with loose, lose an o, and what do you get? Lose!

Good vs. Well Good Well Good is an adjective, which means that it modifies nouns. This is a good movie You speak good English. Good can be used with copular verbs, but it is still an adjective modifying a noun, not a verb. This movie is good. Your English is good. Well is an adverb, which means that it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. It was a well-defined idea. You speak English well. Well can be used as an adjective to mean "in good health." You look well. I don't feel well. The Bottom Line If it's a verb, you'd do well to use well; otherwise, the good choice is good.

Ours Ours is the first person plural possessive pronoun - it replaces "our" + noun. Is this yours or ours? He found a book - is it ours? He can't find his keys, but ours are on the table. Ours is a better idea. The pleasure is ours. Our’s The Bottom Line Ours is the only correct spelling.

Who vs. Whom Who Whom Who is an interrogative pronoun and is used in place of the subject of a question. Who are you? Is this who told you? Who can also be used in statements, in place of the subject of a clause. This is who warned me. Jack is the one who wants to go. Whom is also an interrogative pronoun, but it is used in place of the object of a question. Whom is this story about? With whom are you going? Whom did they tell? And whom can be used in statements, in place of the object of a clause. This is the man whom I told you about. John is the man whom you met at dinner last week. The Bottom Line Whom is also the correct choice after a preposition: with whom, one of whom, not "with who, one of who.