Writing Tips

The Different Words that Sound the Same

We all know what this chapter is about, well, hopefully all of you know. We are talking about those misused words that don't make sense with their meaning but still sound the same.

Lately I've been working on my end of trimester projects. One of them was my history project. Now, not to brag or anything, but my prezis and power points are pretty detailed and have amazing notes and info on them in my own words of proper American English.

But... We presented this week, me being one of the last few to present, and so many people had the wrong their/they're/there and it's/its.

HOW DO YOU EVEN FRICKING SCREW THAT UP?!?!?! THEY ARE SO EASY TO REMEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!

They also had many proper nouns lowercased, but that will be covered at some other point.

But seriously, how do you mix them up??? I had that stuff down in elementary school!!!! It's not that hard people!!! And if English isn't your first language, you should still know this because it is so easy!!!

I'd first like to start with the three most commonly misused words:

Their - A possessive noun. (E.g. "Their car was red." "Could their stuff be in room 507?")

They're - A contraction of they and are. (E.g. "They're going shopping." "They're brother and sister.")

There - There are so many definitions for this that I can't remember them all... -.-" Just search it on the Merriam-Webster dictionary or something... (E.g. "There are some eggs in the basket." "Did you know that there is a new species of iguanas?" "She stopped right there.")

Now you know the difference between those three. Now onto the one that is very confusing for some.

It's is a contraction of, "It is," this phrase should be used when stating something or whatever. (E.g. "It's cold outside." "It's green, not blue." "If it's okay with you, I'm going shopping.")

Its is a possessive. I'm not sure on how else to explain it, just look at the examples... (E.g. "Its claws were sharp." "Its tires began to burn.") I know it looks weird, but that how it works.

Next is the most misused (in my opinion) words on any writing website or social media post.

Your/You're

So many people get this wrong!!!! How do you even get these messed up?!?!?! You're is the contractionn of "you are," simple as that!!!! Your is a possessive!!! (E.g. "Your hat fell on the ground." "Did you know your team lost last night?") Gosh dang it... Get it right,, people...

And people... I know almost everyone says it, but the word "ain't" isn't a real word. It was only added to the dictionary because people used it all the time as slang for "am not." Oh, and slang is actually slang for shortened language if none of you knew that!

I will add more later on if I find any other words that get misused. Leave a comment below on any close-related and misused words you see all the time so I can add them! And tell me what you'd like me to talk about next as well!!! :3