Our Forum On Writing

When you’re writing, most often the story is the thing that’s on your mind. It’s not unusual for your brain to be ahead of your hands by a few words, at least, causing you to even miss words you thought you’d already written. It’s when the writing is done and the proof reading starts, that grammar counts. For those that don’t have English as their primary language, this can be especially difficult. I thought it might be worthwhile to start listing some of the words whose usage, often, isn’t readily apparent, especially for some homophones. I’ll add more as time goes one. Feel free to add any that you feel strongly about. Or feel free to correct me if I got it wrong.

'Affect' versus 'Effect':

'Effect' is said can be used as a noun or verb while 'affect' is primarily used as a verb.

As a verb, effect used to mean “bring about” or  “produce” some change, cause and effect. To cause initial change or in the process of changing.

“The effect of the bad weather was to keep people in doors.”

As a noun it’s a ‘result.’

“The bad weather had the side effect of keeping people in doors.”

Affect is used more often to mean "had the result of influencing” or did "influence".

“The bad weather did affect how people spent their time."


‘Into’ versus ‘in to’:

‘Into’ means a transformation in location or state of being. While “in to” refers to two separate functions.

‘In to’ adverb ‘in’ followed by the preposition ‘to’:

“I turned the wallet I found ‘in’. I gave it ‘to’ the police.” Is equivalent to; “I turned the wallet I found in to the police.”

‘Into’ from one place or thing to another, Remember, you can’t go ‘to’ something you’re already ‘in’:

“The witch turned him into a frog.” “The witch put him into the barrel.” "The witch went into the house."

If there's a multiple choice, it's better to keep it clear.

"She went into the house then towards the bedroom." not "She went in to the bedroom." or "She went in, to the bedroom."

"Than" versus "Then"

‘Than’ is used when doing a comparison. While ‘then’ is used in referencing time, chronological sequence or consequences.

‘Than’ used purely when comparing things:
“My wife is better looking than her.” “I prefer pancakes rather than waffles”

‘Then’ used for issues of time:
“First I’ll sweep the floors then mop them”

Or as a condition:
"If they have all the data then they’ll be able to come to some resolution."



"Weather" versus "Whether"

‘Weather’ Weather refers to climate, while ‘whether’ offers clarification within a sentence.

‘Weather’ is a noun referencing climate or temperature:

“The weather is hot and muggy.” “I look forward to some decent weather so we can have a picnic.”

‘Weathered’ is an adjective referencing a state of something, as if exposed to time and weather.

“That old barn looks well weathered.” “You certainly look like you’ve weathered the years well.”

‘Whether’ a conjunction providing clarification usually in the form of alternatives or choice:

“Whether or not you like him, the cat stays.” “I don’t know whether there is an alternative?” 


"Two" versus "too" versus “to”

‘Two’ refers to the number 2, ‘too’ means also or an excessive degree, while ‘to’ implies focus at an object, person or activity.

‘Two’ refers to the number 2.
“I have two cats.” “It will be two days before we get home.”

‘Too’ is an adverb meaning ‘also’ or referring to an ‘excessive degree.’
Also - “I like ice cream, too.” “He too, is subject to the rules.”
Excessive degree - “There are too many rules.”  “It’s much too hot in here.”

‘To’ is a particle, a preposition and an anaphor. It’s generally, a focus at an object, person or activity.

As a particle - “I helped him to plan his day” “We had to laugh at ourselves.”
As a preposition - “She went to work early.” “They had to each speak before the class.”
As an anaphor – “They’re going out but I don’t want to.”

'There' versus 'Their' versus 'They're':

'There' a place --opposite of here--, a state or condition.
As an adverb:

• Go there now (a place) - He stopped there to tie his shoe (the point of an action) - There he goes (calling attention to an event or moment)

As a pronoun:

• There is no point (a condition or state of situation) - If you had been there too. (a location)

As an adjective:

• Ask that girl there (used as identification, as to what girl)

As a noun:

• I'll point her out but you're own your own from there (state of condition of departure or transition)

'Their' is possessive adjective, plural and singular. Their in lieu of his and hers, his and his, etc or their in lieu of gender, his or her:

• Their home - Their rights - Their escape (general possessive case)
• Who left their notebook (indefinite singular in place of his or her)

'They're' is a contraction constructed of 'they are'.