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Grammar Fundamentals

Choosing the Right Word

Date

May 10, 2023

The English language is challenging even to native speakers with its many variations and spellings of words that sound the same. It can be easy to write down the wrong version without a second glance. As college students, it’s important that we understand the different words and their meanings and learn to avoid these errors in order to be better writers and communicators. 

Its vs. It’s

  • “Its” is a possessive pronoun as in: The computer has its own case.
  • “It’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has” as in: It’s going to be a wonderful day!

You’re vs. Your

  • “You’re” is a contraction for “you are,” as in: You’re going to do so well.
  • “Your” is a possessive pronoun, as in: That is your pen and pencil.

Then vs. Than

  • “Then” is used to discuss time and a sequence of events, such as: We are going to the book store first, and then the library.
  • Use “than” to make comparisons, as in: I am more productive in the library than in my dorm room.

Who’s vs Whose

  • “Who’s” is a contraction for “who is,” as in: Who’s watching the game tonight?
  • “Whose” is the possessive of who, and sometimes which, as in: Do you know whose book this is?

Affect vs Effect

  • “Affect” with an a is (usually) a verb. Think of affect as influencing the feelings of an individual, as in: Many theater goers find the play Romeo and Juliet to affect their sensibilities.
  • “Effect” with an e is (usually) a noun. Effect is the result of an action or phenomena, as in: Cause and effect.

I.E. Versus E.G.

  • “E.g.” is short for a Latin term, exempli gratia, which means, “for example,” as in: Buy me something sweet, e.g., chocolate, cupcakes, and cookies.
  • “I.e.” is short for the Latin term, id est, which means roughly, "that is" or “in other words,” as in: Service charge is included in the bill, i.e., you do not need to leave a tip.
  • Both e.g. and i.e. must have commas before and after (unless, of course, they’re preceded by a dash or a parenthesis).
  • Grammar Girl memory trick:
    • Starts with e = example
    • Starts with i = in other words

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