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APPENDIX
A:
A Quick Review of Some Problem Areas
Their, There,
They're
All three of these words are pronounced in the same way, but when writing the proper
word must be used, based on the spelling. Here are the differences:
Their is a possessive word. (Their books, their house, their cookies)
There can be a place (go there), or concerning this matter (There you are wrong); or to
express concern (there, there, don’t worry); or as an intensive (John there is a good
boy); or as denoting an action taking place now (there goes the whistle).
They’re is a contraction (two words joined together). In this case, “they” and “are” are
joined. If you question when to use “they’re”, just substitute “they are” in the sentence.
“They’re here” and “They are here” say the same things. “There here” is never used as
a sentence, as it makes no sense.
Try these: (Circle the correct answer)
(There, Their, They’re) is a monster on the loose.
(There, Their, They’re) dog bits kids.
(There, Their, They’re) the biggest animals in the world.
This is (there, their, they’re) red car.
Was, Were
“Was” is usually used if you are talking about one person or thing (I was there, Ted was
there, She was there, It was there). NEVER use “We was there”. “Were” is usually
used when more than one person or thing is involved (We were born there, They were
there).
There is an exception, however. Whenever “you” is used, were is correct, no matter if
the “you” is one person (You were the only one there), or if the “you” is more than one
person (You dancers were there). NEVER USE “You was there”.
Try these: (Circle the correct answer)
The dog (was, were) in the house
They (was, were) in the house
We (was, were) in the house
You (was, were) in the house
Themselves, Himself, Herself, Itself
“Theirselves” and “Theirself” are not words; just completely throw them out of your
speech and writing. The correct word is “themselves”. (“They were proud of
themselves.”) For one person or thing, use himself, herself, or itself (he was proud of
himself, the cat gave itself a bath).
Try these (circle the correct answer)
They did it (theirselves, themselves).
They were happy with (theirselves, themselves).