Correct Grammar Uses

Grammar confuses many people, and countless people use words and phrases incorrectly. This post is meant to clear up some of that confusion by highlighting the words and phrases that are most often used incorrectly. 

Incorrect: Your welcome.

Correct: You’re welcome.

“Your” is possessive whereas “you’re” means “you are”.

Incorrect: I could care less.

Correct: I couldn’t care less.

The point of this statement is to show that you don’t care at all. By saying, “I couldn’t care less” you’re making it clear that you already don’t care and it’s not possible for you to not care anymore than you already do.

Incorrect: You’re a trooper.

Correct: You’re a trouper.

A trooper is an officer or soldier. A trouper is someone who is hard working and uncomplaining.

Incorrect: Alright

Correct: All right.

“Alright” is not a real word and an incorrect spelling of “all right.” So make sure that you use two words instead of one word.

NOTE: Because of the simplification of writing due to texting and social media, the use of "alright" has become more popular. You could use "alright" in dialogue for YA books, but editors still tend to nix it outside of dialogue, which is why I added it here.

Incorrect: Try and... "I want to try and write a book."

Correct: Try to... "I want to try to write a book."

Using the word “to” indicates exactly what you want to do, which in this case is "write a book", but if you use “and” you’re combining two things. You don't have to try first and then write a book you only need to try to write a book.

Incorrect: Shouldn’t of

Correct: Shouldn’t have

Already or All ready?

“All ready” means “prepared.” Example: I’m all ready to go to lunch.

“Already” means “previously.” Example: “I already did that!”

Past or Pass?

If you use a verb indicating movement, such as ran or skipped, it will be paired with “past.” Example: I ran past the post office. If there is no verb indicating movement you would use pass. Example: You will pass the post office on your right.

Toward or Towards?

Both are correct. “Toward” is common in the US, and “towards” is common in the UK.

Backward or Backwards?

Again, both are correct. “Backward” is common in the US, and “backwards” is common in the UK.

Gray or Grey?

Here is another one that is correct either way. “Gray” is the preferred spelling for the color in the US, but in the UK  the preferred spelling is “Grey.”

Neither vs. Either

“Neither” means not any of the valuable options.

Example: I’m voting for neither, because both candidates are idiots.

“Either” means one of the two valuable options.

Example: I love white chocolate and milk chocolate, so either one is fine with me.

Effect vs. Affect

“Effect” means “a result.”

Example: The special effects made the movie much more exciting.

“Affect” means “to influence.”

Example: Her medication affected her mood.

A part vs. Apart

“A part” means a portion of a whole.

Example #1: I am a part of this world and so are you.

Example #2: I found this letter. I think it’s a part of the clue.

“Apart” means separated by a distance, or something that is broken.

Example #1: The ground broke apart during the earthquake.

Example #2: Fifty miles are keeping us apart.

SHARE: The correct uses of word/phrases you know people use incorrectly. 

QUESTION: Has one of the above words or phrases caused you confusion?