English Writing Tips - Should I use...

Written 3 weeks ago

…its or it’s?

If you can substitute either it is or it has for it’s in a sentence, then you’re using it correctly. Otherwise, the correct word is its.

~ Grammarly

• It’s it is a good day!
• Hey, how are ya? It’s it has been a while!
• My laptop automatically changes its brightness.
• They saw a squirrel steal a nut from a dog, it was left with its mouth hanging open.

…your or you’re?

The easiest way to check if you are using the correct word is the replace the “you’re” with the words “you are”. If your sentence still makes sense, you’re using the correct word.

~ Englishlive

• Wow, you’re you are looking great today!
• Mind if I borrow your book?

…bare or bear?

When choosing between bear and bare, consider that most uses of bear imply the presence of something, while bare suggests a removal or absence.

~ Merriam-Webster

• bear in mind, bear weight, can’t bear, cross to bear, right to bear arms, bear down on, easier to bear, bring to bear, bear witness, bear fruit, grin and bear it

• bare minimum, bare necessities, bare one’s soul, bare one’s teeth, bare (it) all, bare-handed, bare-knuckled, bare-assed, bare bones, lay bare

…there or their or they’re?

There has the word here in it. There is the choice when talking about places, whether figurative or literal. Their has the word heir in it, which can act as a reminder that the term indicates possession. They’re has an apostrophe, which means it’s the product of two words: they are. If you can substitute they are into your sentence and retain the meaning, then they’re is the correct homophone to use.

~ Dictionary

• I’ll reach there in 10 min.
• They’re they are still at the same spot, right?
• I’ll find their location then.