Is there anyone left who knows the difference?

[benolathe]

Yes, I know the difference!!

It is very disappointing to see how many people - not just on the DIS Boards - have problems with these very basic words. Sometimes it's painful to read status updates on Facebook.

 

[kimmar067]

I have to agree. Two others agree with me. This, too, concerns me.

...UGH!! The "to's" bother me more than the "there's".....

 

[kimmar067]

...and DON'T get me started on "whole 'nuther"!

 

[kimmar067]

That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is that it? It is.

...uhhhhhhh, HUH???!?!!

 

[laurie31]

am
is
are
was
were
be
being
been
have
had
has
do
does
did

This was something I had to memorize in second grade. Anyone know why? When my kids entered second grade I asked their teachers. No one seemed to have a clue.

They are helping verbs. Most of them are forms of "be."

(and of course "be" can be the only verb, not just a helper)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes--and if they appear in my posts misused, it is simply a typo.

If I catch it, I will fix it.

However, this isn't even a formal professional setting so I have always presumed a misused homonym to be a silly typo.

I can't see getting my panties in a bunch over a discussion board, but whatever floats your boat.

It would bother me in professional correspondance and in an educational setting.

However, I don't apply those terms to the DIS.

I get drive nuts by threads like this and people who can't look past a minor issue.

Now iffin' someones a postin' and they be soundin' like Jethro Bodine and un his fine ol' edumakation, you might have a point they're.

Have fun grading my post. I'm sure it is riddled with errors that I chose not to check and correct.

 

[kimmar067]

Yes--and if they appear in my posts misused, it is simply a typo.

If I catch it, I will fix it.

However, this isn't even a formal professional setting so I have always presumed a misused homonym to be a silly typo.

I can't see getting my panties in a bunch over a discussion board, but whatever floats your boat.

It would bother me in professional correspondance and in an educational setting.

However, I don't apply those terms to the DIS.

I get drive nuts by threads like this and people who can't look past a minor issue.

Now iffin' someones a postin' and they be soundin' like Jethro Bodine and un his fine ol' edumakation, you might have a point they're.

Have fun grading my post. I'm sure it is riddled with errors that I chose not to check and correct.

 

[ma2jr]

I can't see getting my panties in a bunch over a discussion board, but whatever floats your boat.

 

[KimR]

One thing I recently read in a book that caught me off guard was something to the effect of 'we've to gather more information before we can finish the project'. At first I thought it was an error because it sounded so strange but when I looked closer I realized it was techinically grammatically correct. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use we've in that way, though.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

I know the the correct way however my fingers sometimes aren't on the same page as my brain. That happens after you've had strokes for all that might not realize.

 

[LoraJ]

I know the difference, however, sometimes I accidentally write it wrong if I am typing fast. Most of the time I catch it, but there are times when I do not. And then I see it later and . Thankfully, you can edit whenever on this site. Other sites have a 15 minute limit.

 

[Debbie-TN]

One thing I recently read in a book that caught me off guard was something to the effect of 'we've to gather more information before we can finish the project'. At first I thought it was an error because it sounded so strange but when I looked closer I realized it was techinically grammatically correct. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use we've in that way, though.

To me it looks like a proof-reader mistake they didn't catch. To me it sounds like it should be 'we've got to gather more information...'

 

[kimmar067]

ma2jr ~
Off-topic, but is your siggie SUPPOSED to look that 'fuzzy' and blurry??

 

[rie'smom]

To me it looks like a proof-reader mistake they didn't catch. To me it sounds like it should be 'we've got to gather more information...'

It's used correctly. Got is not necessary and some consider using it improper.
Without the contraction, it would read:
'We have to gather more information before we can finish the project'. which is right.

Here are some common errors:

1. Accept/Except- Although these two words sound alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with the red cover.)

2. Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and “Effect” is a noun.

3. Alright- If you use “alright,” go to the chalkboard and write “Alright is not a word” 100 times.

4. Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can also mean “punishable by death.”

5. Complement/Compliment- I often must compliment my wife on how her love for cooking perfectly complements my love for grocery shopping.

6. Comprise/Compose- The article I’m composing comprises 32 parts.

7. Could Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?

8. Desert/Dessert- A desert is a hot, dry patch of sand. Dessert, on the other hand, is the sweet, fatty substance you eat at the end of your meal.

9. Discreet/Discrete- We can break people into two discrete (separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.

10. Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave this country to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is immigrating.

11. Elicit/Illicit- Some people post illicit things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from others.

12. Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance, whereas further means to a greater degree.

13. Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric amount.

14. Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst (of anger, fire, etc.)

15. i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is used in place of “for example.”

16. Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if something is inflammable it can catch on fire.

17. It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please don’t use its’.

18. Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it. When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.

19. Literally- If you say “His head literally exploded because he was so mad!” then we should see brains splattered on the ceiling.

20. Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you may lose them. That would be almost as embarrassing as misusing these two words.

21. Moral/Morale- Morals are something you want to teach your kids. If your team’s morale is low, you need to do something to boost their confidence.

22. Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general term.

23. Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t moving. Stationery is something you write on.

24. Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.” Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).

25. There/Their/They’re- There are few things as frustrating as when I look at my students’ writing and they’re misusing these words in their writing.

26. Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in between when it comes to unique.

27. Your/You’re- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this one… yeah, you know the rest. “Your” shows ownership and you’re is a contraction meaning “you are.” Get it right.

28. To/Too/Two- Two is a number. “To” is used in instances such as, “I am going to the store.” If you are supposed to use the word “too,” try inserting the word “extra” or “also.” If one of those fits, you need to also add the extra “o” to make “too.”

29. Lie/Lay- After you lay the books on the table, go lie down on the couch.

30. Sit/Set- Set your drink on the table and sit in your chair. Got it?

31. Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”

32. Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying attention the meaning may elude you (escape you).

 

[cabanafrau]

--------------------------------


There

Their

They're


--------------------------------


This has been a public service announcement.

Thank you.

Amen!

 

[cabanafrau]

It's used correctly. Got is not necessary and some consider using it improper.
Without the contraction, it would read:
'We have to gather more information before we can finish the project'. which is right.

Here are some common errors:

1. Accept/Except- Although these two words sound alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with the red cover.)

2. Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and “Effect” is a noun.

3. Alright- If you use “alright,” go to the chalkboard and write “Alright is not a word” 100 times.

4. Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can also mean “punishable by death.”

5. Complement/Compliment- I often must compliment my wife on how her love for cooking perfectly complements my love for grocery shopping.

6. Comprise/Compose- The article I’m composing comprises 32 parts.

7. Could Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?

8. Desert/Dessert- A desert is a hot, dry patch of sand. Dessert, on the other hand, is the sweet, fatty substance you eat at the end of your meal.

9. Discreet/Discrete- We can break people into two discrete (separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.

10. Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave this country to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is immigrating.

11. Elicit/Illicit- Some people post illicit things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from others.

12. Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance, whereas further means to a greater degree.

13. Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric amount.

14. Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst (of anger, fire, etc.)

15. i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is used in place of “for example.”

16. Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if something is inflammable it can catch on fire.

17. It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please don’t use its’.

18. Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it. When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.

19. Literally- If you say “His head literally exploded because he was so mad!” then we should see brains splattered on the ceiling.

20. Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you may lose them. That would be almost as embarrassing as misusing these two words.

21. Moral/Morale- Morals are something you want to teach your kids. If your team’s morale is low, you need to do something to boost their confidence.

22. Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general term.

23. Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t moving. Stationery is something you write on.

24. Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.” Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).

25. There/Their/They’re- There are few things as frustrating as when I look at my students’ writing and they’re misusing these words in their writing.

26. Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in between when it comes to unique.

27. Your/You’re- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this one… yeah, you know the rest. “Your” shows ownership and you’re is a contraction meaning “you are.” Get it right.

28. To/Too/Two- Two is a number. “To” is used in instances such as, “I am going to the store.” If you are supposed to use the word “too,” try inserting the word “extra” or “also.” If one of those fits, you need to also add the extra “o” to make “too.”

29. Lie/Lay- After you lay the books on the table, go lie down on the couch.

30. Sit/Set- Set your drink on the table and sit in your chair. Got it?

31. Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”

32. Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying attention the meaning may elude you (escape you).

Advice/advise & incidents/incidences are some others often mangled/tangled. Love, love, love hearing law school graduates botch those day after day.

 

[S. C.]

I think a lot of people on the boards just type too fast and don't realize they've made an error most of the time.

 

[mhsjax]

--------------------------------


There

Their

They're


--------------------------------


This has been a public service announcement.

Thank you.

I never claimed to be an english major, but that is one of the few things that I do know. Or is it no? lol

 

[DVC Sadie]

I know the the correct way however my fingers sometimes aren't on the same page as my brain. That happens after you've had strokes for all that might not realize.

I know how you feel and am glad you have had a good outcome.

My biggest problem is that I have had two strokes in my life. I had my 1st stroke at the age of 25 on the operating table and unfortunately it effected my memory so badly that it totally erased my memory for awhile. While I did regain alot of my memory I lost all of my high school and college years.

 

[dis-happy]

Also, I was taught that, no matter what, periods and commas go inside quotation marks (see my examples above). English teachers: is that still true?

I'm so old I still double space after a period!!!




Let us take a moment and reflect on the beauty of the conditional phrase, "if I were....". It seems to be MIA these days.