Here is a list of words commonly mixed up and their proper definition and use!!
Longgggggg explanation under the cut!!
Before I start, here are some basic definitions of types of words
Pronouns - a word used to take place of place a noun
Ex. He, she, they, you, our, ect.
Forms of pronouns
Personal pronouns - I, you, he, she, it, we, they ect
Demonstrative pronouns - this, that, these, those ect
Indefinite pronouns - all, anyone, nobody, several ect
Possessive pronouns - Our, hers, their, mine ect
Reflexive pronouns - myself, themselves, yourself ect
Contractions - contractions are shortened words by combining two or more words into one word
Ex. They're, can't, aren't, you're ect ect
Homophones and homographs -
Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different spelling and meaning (ex. Know/no, eight/ate, ect)
Homographs are words that have the same spelling but different pronunciation and meaning (ex. Bow/bow, tear/tear ect.)
Now for the mixed up words, and their correct uses and definitions!!
There/their/they're
There is word with many uses (it can be an adverb, noun, interjection, adjective, or pronoun) but it is typically used to indicate where something is
Uses in a sentence -
There is someone who knows what they're talking about!
That over there is a cat!
Oh, that building is over there!
Their is a possessive pronoun that shows something is owned or related to someone or multiple people
Uses in a sentence -
Parents need to watch for their children.
What is their preferred name?
That book is theirs, not yours
They're is a contraction of the phrase they are
Uses in a sentence -
They're pretty studious!
Don't you know that they're together?
They're going to the mall today!
You're and your
You're is a contraction of you are
Uses in a sentence -
You're a pretty cool person!
Ugh you're so irritating!
Do you know that you're great?
Your is a possessive pronoun
Uses in a sentence -
What's your name?
Is that cat yours?
What was your childhood dream job?
Are and our and hour (people get are and our mixed up and people get our and hour mixed up so I'm combing them into one thing)
Are is a verb form of the word be, it is used in present tense to show existence or state of being
Uses in a sentence -
They are pretty awesome!
There are no easy solutions to this unfortunately.
Are you having trouble with this?
Our is a first person possessive pronoun that includes yourself and others
Uses in a sentence -
We all went to our favorite restaurant today!
Do you like our matching shirts?
Our favorite day is Friday?
Hour is a measurement of time that consists of 60 minutes
Uses in a sentence -
Ugh this is gonna take hours!
What hours of the day did you wake up at?
We can hang out for two hours!
Two/to/too
Two is a number or amount, it is one more than the number one!
Uses in a sentence (one example this time) -
I got two different surprise boxes!!
To is a preposition, infinitive marker, and adverb
Uses in a sentence -
What's your go to restaurant?
Her expression changed from joy to sadness.
Are you going to go to their house?
Too is an adverb that either indicates something is to do a higher degree, or in addition to something
Uses in a sentence -
Oh! I like that movie too!!
You're doing way too much, chill out.
Me too!
Than and then
Than is a comparative conjunction and preposition
Uses in a sentence -
Do you like this more than that?
They observe rather than help out.
He does nothing other than play games.
Then is an adverb that indicates the time or what next
Uses in a sentence -
I used to do that back then, but not really anymore.
First we went to the mall, then we went to get food.
Then if that's not your name, what is your name?
Lose and loose
Lose is a verb meaning that something is missing or gone, or the opposite of win
Uses in a sentence -
I am going to lose the race!
Don't lose your new toy this time.
Did you lose your appetite?
How many aura points did I lose?
Loose is a word meaning something is released or not tightly in place
Uses in a sentence -
Your shoelaces are loose.
The lions got loose from the zoo!
I have a relatively loose schedule.
Accept and except
Accept is to receive something
Uses in a sentence -
I don't accept this! How could you lie to me!?
Well I accepted you into the job!
Did the computer accept the new password?
Except is to exclude something
Uses in a sentence -
We all are going to the theme park except for Tom, since they get sick easily.
I would've went, except it is too far.
Vehicles have to follow road law except for ambulances since they need to save people!
It's and its
It's is a contraction of it is
Uses in a sentence (just one sentence) -
It's pretty difficult to type all of this out.
Its is a possessive pronoun
Uses in a sentence (just one sentence) -
What is its favorite meal?
Desert and dessert
Desert is a place with very low precipitation/very dry ex the Sahara or technically Antarctica
Ex. It feels like a desert here! It's so dry!
Dessert is a treat that is typically sweet! You may eat it after a meal.
Oh! I really wanted to try that dessert!!
Thing to remember which is which!! You would only want one desert so there is only one S and you would want more dessert so there are two S's
Affect and effect
Affect is a verb, which causes change
Uses in a sentence -
What are you going to do to affect your behavior?
Tylenol does not affect the chances for autism, that isn't how it works.
Are you affected by any illnesses?
Effect is a noun form of affect
Uses in a sentence -
Love may have a strong effect on people, whether it is platonic, romantic, or familial love.
What effect do you have on people?
Cleaning can cause an effect where you are more motivated!
This is all since this post is very long, I hope this is helpful to people! If I have any mistakes feel free to tell me so I can fix it!
