English Grammar Guide
Its vs. It's
โ The cat licked it's paw.
โ
The cat licked its paw.
Rule: "It's" = it is / it has. "Its" = possessive form of it.
Their / There / They're
โ
They're going to their house over there.
Rule: They're = they are. Their = possessive. There = place.
Affect vs. Effect
โ
The rain affected the game. The effect was significant.
Rule: Affect = verb (to influence). Effect = noun (the result).
Who vs. Whom
โ Whom is calling? โ
Who is calling?
Rule: Who = subject (he/she). Whom = object (him/her). Trick: substitute "him" โ if it works, use whom.
Subject-Verb Agreement
โ The data shows interesting trends.
โ
The data show interesting trends. (data is plural)
Dangling Modifier
โ Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful.
โ
Walking down the street, I noticed the beautiful trees.
Fewer vs. Less
โ Less people attended. โ
Fewer people attended.
Rule: Fewer = countable (people, items). Less = uncountable (water, time).