Lesson 7 Correcting Common Usage Errors

Essential Question

How can I avoid common errors in my writing?

Grammar in the World

What Do I Know?

Use the interactive below to see how much you already know about common usage errors.

Directions: Read each sentence, then choose which word in parentheses best completes the sentence.
(Note: When the correct answer is two separate words, each word must be clicked for the answer to be marked as correct.)

Building Blocks

Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:

Learn About Correcting Common Usage Errors

When I text “I love you” to my 14-year-old son, Jack, he inevitably texts back, “Love you to.” As the mom of a teenager, I’m thrilled that my son is telling me he loves me. As an English teacher, his (mis)use of the word “to” makes me a little crazy. One evening at dinner I finally brought up his incorrect use of “to.” Instead of listening to the wise words of his English teacher mom, however, Jack proceeded to pretend like he did not understand what I was talking about and immediately sent me several texts using “to” incorrectly. His dad told him, “Your mom is going to have a stroke.” I did not, in fact, have a stroke, but he still texts me back with “Love you to,” so one of these days I might. Learning how to avoid common usage errors will help you communicate clearly in your academic writing, your professional writing...and also your texts to your parents.

Click on each category below to learn about the most common errors you will encounter and how to avoid them:

To/Too/Two

To/Too/Two

indicates direction or position

used before a verb in an infinitive phrase

Example:

Sekani ran to the door when Layla came home.

The first grade class went to the zoo on a field trip.

Jack likes to sing in the shower.

CJ likes to play basketball in the driveway.

Too

Indicates excess
Means “as well” or “also”

Example:

I think I ate too much cheesecake for dessert.

That box is too heavy for me to lift.

I love you, too.

Fortuna is taking composition and literature this semester too.

Two

Indicates the number 2

Example:

Graham added two songs to his new music playlist.

There are two lightbulbs in the living room that need to be replaced.

There/Their/They're

There/Their/They’re

There

indicates direction or position.

states a fact

Example:

You can stand in line to get a ticket over there.

We should sit over there at the table by the window.

There is rain in the forecast tomorrow.

There are cookies on the counter for your dessert.

Their

indicates possession

Example:

Their dog loves to chase squirrels on walks.

It was their idea to go get ice cream after class.

They’re

the contraction of “they are”

Example:

They’re going to attend the reception after the wedding.

Do you know if they’re going to meet us for coffee?

Your/You're

Your/You’re

Your

indicates possession

Example:

Your birthday is the same day as my brother’s.

Do you know if your order arrived in the mail?

You’re

the contraction of “you are”

Example:

Do you know if you’re going to the football game?

You’re doing a great job learning about how to correct common usage errors.

It's/Its

It’s/Its

It’s

the contraction of “it is”

Example:

It’s going to be chilly at the football game this evening.

It’s perfect weather for a bonfire this weekend.

Its

indicates possession

Example:

I would not recommend this book because I was disappointed with its ending.

The band improved its performance after a week of practicing.

Whose/Who's

Whose/Who’s

Whose

indicates possession

Example:

Whose car are you going to take?

Do you know whose book this is?

Who’s

the contraction of “who is”

Example:

Who’s excited about tomorrow’s day off school?

I don’t know who’s coming to the costume party on Friday night.

Than/Then

Than/Then

Than

indicates comparison

Example:

My ice cream tastes better than your chocolate cake.

Caden is taller than his dad.

Then

indicates time
indicates sequence

Example:

I did not own a car back then.
I like to take a nap now and then.

I saved money. Then I bought a car.

I did my homework, and then I took a nap.

Affect/Effect

Affect/Effect

Affect

indicates influence or change

Example:

The rainy weather will likely affect the number of people who come to the parade.

Josiah’s lack of motivation to study affects his grades.

Effect

indicates a result or consequence

Example:

What effect will it have on my grade if I do extra credit?

This medication does not have any side effects.

Accept/Except

Accept/Except

Accept

indicates agreement or receiving something

Example:

Charlotte accepted a new job offer yesterday.

I accept your apology.

Except

indicates exclusion

Example:

Miriam likes all fruits except bananas.

Jackson loves marching band so much that he hardly talks about anything except new drum cadences he is learning.

Less/Fewer

Less/Fewer

Less

modifies a noun that cannot be counted

Example:

I should probably eat less dessert.

I got less sleep last night than I would have liked.

Fewer

modifies a noun that can be counted

Example:

I should probably eat fewer cookies.

I got fewer hours of sleep last night than I would have liked.

Would Have/Would Of

Would Have/Would Of

When we use the contractions “would’ve” or “should’ve,” it sounds just like we are saying “would of” or “should of.” However, using the words “would of” or “should of” is incorrect. Use would have or should have instead.

Example:

Carmen would of stopped by the store, but she was running late.

Carmen would have stopped by the store, but she was running late.

I should of gone on a walk this morning, but I slept late instead.

I should have gone on a walk this morning, but I slept late instead.

Everyday/Every Day

Everyday/Every Day

Everyday

an adjective that means “ordinary”

Example:

Drinking coffee when I first wake up in the morning is my everyday ritual.

Mariana has started doing yoga in the morning to help her handle everyday stress.

Every day

means each day

Example:

Every day, I begin my morning with a cup of coffee.

To help her handle stress, Mariana has made a goal to practice yoga every day.

Anyone/Any One

Anyone/Any One

Anyone

means any person or anybody

Example:

Does anyone want a second serving of pasta?

I don’t think anyone caught the license plate number of the car involved in the hit and run.

Any one

means any individual object or person (Hint: it is often followed by the preposition “of.”)

Example:

I think any one of these cupcakes would be a delicious, delectable choice.

If any one of the bystanders has any information about the burglary, they should contact the police.

Everyone/Every One

Everyone/Every One

Everyone

means every person in a group

Example:

Analise invited everyone in her kindergarten class to her birthday party.

Everyone is surprised at how poorly the Kansas City Chiefs are playing this season.

Every one

means each member of a group

Example:

Even though they didn’t win, every one of the basketball players did a great job at the game.

Liliana has read every one of the books in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Do I Get It?

Use the interactive below to test. your knowledge of these common usage errors: