I have already talked about those countless mistakes that even veteran or expert writers make in this post on grammatical mistakes and this post on some more grammatical mistakes post. In this article, I am going to bring a very interesting kind of error to light. These aren’t “grammatical” errors. But when they are made, they cause blunders. Colloquially, these mistakes are called “mixing up homophones.”
Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings and (usually) spellings. For instance, rose (flower) and rose (past tense of “rise”).
So let’s look at the most misunderstood and mistaken homophones that lead to grammatical “blunders,” as called by any content writing agency.
Image source: canva
Your – You’re
If this is one of “your” common mistakes, “you’re” on the wrong track (lol)!
Explanation:
- “Your” is a possessive case of the pronoun “you” used to show the relation between a second person and a noun.
- “You’re” is a contraction of “you are.”
Examples:
We are your parents.
You’re a bad person.
Then – Than
If these two look similar to you, “then” nobody’s grammatically poorer “than” you (sorry)!
Explanation:
- “Then” is used to talk about a particular time in the past or the future. It is also used to talk about something coming immediately after something else in time or order. Basically, it is most commonly used as either an adverb or an adjective.
- “Than” is a conjunction used for making comparisons between elements, objects, people, etc.
Examples:
I was at work then.
We saw a movie and then went out for dinner.
My ice cream was better than yours.
A good trick by our content writing agency: “Then” is used to indicate the time. Both then and time have a letter “E” in them.
“Than” is used to make comparisons. Both than and comparison have a letter “A” in them.
Who’s – Whose
“Whose” grammar sucks?? “Who’s” that person?
Explanation:
- “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is.”
- “Whose” is the possessive case of pronouns to show a relation with a noun.
Examples:
Who’s going to the park today?
Whose phone is that?
Two – Too
These “two” are simply “too” much of confusion, but not for a writer of a reputed content writing agency!
Explanation:
- “Two,” needless to mention, is the word form of numerical “2.”
- “Too” is a word that’s used as an alternative to “also” or “as well.” It’s also used to describe an adjective in extremes.
Bonus Confusion: “To” is used before a noun or verb, and describes a destination, recipient, or action.
Examples:
That uncle has two granddaughters.
It’s too late to apologise.
It’s such a good example to clear this confusion!
Into – In to
Walk “into” our content writing agency. Walk “in to” see how beautifully we avoid such blunders!
Explanation:
- “Into” is a preposition that expresses the movement of something toward or into something else.
- “In to” is a combination of the adverb “in” and the preposition “to.” They aren’t really related and only happen to fall next to each other to indicate movement or some action that is taking place.
Examples:
Turn your blog into a career.
He threw the note into the fire.
You are either in to win or you’re not.
He gave in to the pressure.
There – They’re – Their
There are several of their mistakes that they’re going to hate if they don’t understand these differences in time!
Explanation:
- When someone refers to a place, they use “there” as the preposition. “There” is also used as a pronoun introducing a sentence or clause.
- “They’re” is the contraction of “they are.”
- “Their” is the possessive case of the pronoun “they.”
Examples:
Let’s go there this Sunday.
There is still some hope left.
They’re too harsh with that baby.
Their love for her has reduced.
Lose – Loose
Either let loose your homophonic mistakes now or lose throughout your life!
Explanation:
- “Lose” is a verb that is used in a sentence to refer to failing, misplacing, or freeing someone or oneself from something or someone.
- “Loose” is an adjective that means not tight or not dense.
Examples:
Work hard or you’ll lose this game.
This shirt is too loose.
Source: https://giphy.com/gifs/cartoonhangover-excited-jittery-speedforce-MT9AmqEz7dvXOQzFiB
Do you also want to become someone who understands these (and several other) homophones? Do you also want to become a better writer and avoid silly homophonic mistakes? If you said yes and yes, then you are welcomed at our content writing agency! Drop your resume at hr@spacebar.in and take a step towards better writing.
See you soon!