Definition of Words Often Misspelled

[johnnymk]

I see the following words used incorrectly so many times here and in many other sites I visit. So here are the definitions:


your (adj.) Used as a modifier before a noun: your boots; your accomplishments.

you're Contraction of you are


their (adj.) Used as a modifier before a noun: their accomplishments; their home town

there (adv.) At or in that place: sit over there.
there (pron.) Used to introduce a clause or sentence: There are numerous items. There must be another exit.
there (adj.) Used especially for emphasis after the demonstrative pronoun that or those, or after a noun modified by the demonstrative adjective that or those: That person there ought to know the directions to town.

they're Contraction of they are


to (prep.) In a direction toward so as to reach: went to the city

too (adv.) In addition; also: He's coming along too.
too (adv.) More than enough; excessively: She worries too much


lose (v.) To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of; mislay: He's always losing his car keys

loose (adj.) Not fastened, restrained, or contained: loose bricks

[ialsohaveadream]

You + me = babies? Bad grammar hurts my soul.

And I'll add these:

then- refers to time, i.e. "We're going to eat burgers, THEN we're going to the orgy."
than- comparative, i.e. "That orgy was much better THAN the one last week."

our- belonging to us, i.e. "OUR last orgy was a rousing success!"
are- form of "be" or "to be", i.e. "There ARE only so many orgies we can make it to this week. We do have to work, after all."

[Merlin]

GAM, please "sticky" this thread.

[Kevster]

This thread requires these lessons from Bob the Angry Flower:





I know there is one out there for Thier/They're/There, but I don't have that one saved.

[Grimm]

GAM, please "sticky" this thread.

I think IHAD already made it all sticky.

[cadetevon]

I love you guys!

This is from www.toothpastefordinner.com

[MrGreg]

I use it's correctly, but I don't understand why the rule is that way?

cat:
plural - cats
"cat is" - cat's
possessive - cat's

it:
plural - its (never used)
"it is" - it's
possessive - its (why no apostrophe? Don't all other possessives use an apostrophe?)

[zero2dash]

Huh?

Grammer's for suckers, man.
U got 2 use 1337 sp33k

[Memo]

"Grammer" is for suckers, eh?

I personally hate the misuse of effect and affect.

[coleslaw]

possessive - its (why no apostrophe? Don't all other possessives use an apostrophe?)

Possessive pronouns do not have apostrophes.

See also: hers, theirs

[Prisoner 24601]

Eye dont got it.

[ShawnLee]

Me fail English! That's unpossible!

Thank you JMK and others for brilliance. It's one of my quirks that I flip out whenever I see these things. I don't hate anybody, I can usually let it slide, and I'm not even saying that I'm not susceptible to it as well, but it still bugs.

Thank you all.

[ialsohaveadream]

I use it's correctly, but I don't understand why the rule is that way?

cat:
plural - cats
"cat is" - cat's
possessive - cat's

it:
plural - its (never used)
"it is" - it's
possessive - its (why no apostrophe? Don't all other possessives use an apostrophe?)

I refuse to give in to grammar revisionists who use "its". Not all other possessives use an apostophe, but "its" should. When I was in elementary school, we were taught to use an apostrophe, and it just makes sense. So if anyone feels the need to someday point out my improper use of "it's", it's intentional.

I think IHAD already made it all sticky.

[Markel]

I always remember: his, hers, its (it's not "hi's" or "her's", so it's not "it's")

[ialsohaveadream]

I always remember: his, hers, its (it's not "hi's" or "her's", so it's not "it's")

Oh, I remember. I just peacefully protest.

[sizemic1]

I hate it when people interchange MUTE for MOOT.
And when people make up their own words..ie.. Irregardless.

[Grimm]

I really, really hate it when I see kids use "sike", the expression is "Psyche".


And the thread title is wrong. The words aren't misspelled, they are using the wrong word.

[dbax791]

lose (v.) To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of; mislay: He's always losing his car keys

loose (adj.) Not fastened, restrained, or contained: loose bricks

That one drives me insane. Especially when I'm in a sports discussion. "Man, I hope the Steelers don't loose the game next Sunday". Makes me want to .

The misuse of "affect" vs. "effect" is another classic.

[Agent Plissken]

I hate "alot" a lot.
"Allot" is even worse.

LOT
a. A large extent, amount, or number. Often used in the plural: is in a lot of trouble; has lots of friends.

b. Used adverbially with a or in the plural to mean “to a great degree or extent” or “frequently”: felt a lot better; ran lots faster; doesn't go out a whole lot; has seen her lots lately.

[Paymaster]

While this is a slightly different type of misuse, I hate it when people misuse "prodigal".

It refers to someone who wastes money, not someone who leaves for a while, then returns.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...efine:prodigal

[Jeffbx]

Warranty and guarantee

NOT

Warantee and guaranty

[esme]

here's more ....

where, were

[Devhux]

I shall refer you all to Common Errors in English

(There are a LOT of them here).

(Even mentions redundancy -- LCD Display anyone?)

[Houdini]

The growing misuse of the " 's " to make things plural really annoys me. I've seen it one the boards, on street signs, on TV, etc. For example:

I've seen it on board's, street sign's, on TV, etc.



Also, the pseudo-verb "conversate" really pisses me off, in speech or in music. The verb is CONVERSE! You have CONVERSATIONS! But nobody CONVERSATES!

It reminds me of boy scouts when people told me to "orientate" myself. The verb is ORIENT, dammit!

[Markel]

Also, the pseudo-verb "conversate" really pisses me off, in speech or in music. The verb is CONVERSE! You have CONVERSATIONS! But nobody CONVERSATES!

It reminds me of boy scouts when people told me to "orientate" myself. The verb is ORIENT, dammit!

Hey, don't get so uptight - most nouns can be verbed.