In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Chapter 9 of Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students learn to correctly use commonly confused words and expressions including a/an, accept/except, ain't, a lot, at after where, and among/between. The lesson explains how to distinguish these terms based on sound, meaning, and grammatical role, reinforcing standard English conventions for formal writing and speaking.
Section 1
Than vs. Then
Than is a word used in making comparisons. Then means “next” or “at that time.”
Remember the difference with this tip: than has an 'a' and is used for comparisons (more than, less than). Then has an 'e' and is used for time or sequence (first this, then that). One letter makes all the difference in meaning!
Section 2
Their, There, and They're
Their is the possessive form of they and means “belonging to them.” There is used to mean “at that place” or to begin a sentence. They’re is a contraction of they are.
These three sound alike but have very different jobs. Their shows ownership (it has 'heir' in it). There points to a location (it has 'here' in it). They're is a shortcut for 'they are' (the apostrophe replaces the 'a'). Double-check which meaning fits your sentence.
Section 3
Using 'Them' vs. 'Those'
Them should not be used as an adjective in formal writing and speaking. Use those.
Using them to describe a noun (like in "them cookies") is a common nonstandard usage. Remember, them is a pronoun that acts as an object ("I saw them"). The correct adjective to point out plural items is those. Always use those before a plural noun.
Section 4
Try To vs. Try And
In formal writing and speaking, use try to, not try and.
While we often say "try and do something" in casual conversation, the grammatically correct and more formal structure is try to. In writing, the verb try should be followed by an infinitive verb (to + verb). This is a simple switch that makes your writing more polished.
Section 5
Your vs. You're
Your is a possessive form of you. It means “belonging to you.” You’re is the contraction of you are.
Your shows ownership, like "your car" or "your idea." You're is simply a shorter way to write you are. An easy check is to substitute "you are" into your sentence. If it makes sense, use you're. If it doesn't, you need the possessive your.
Section 6
Double Negatives with 'Hardly' and 'Scarcely'
Do not use hardly or scarcely with another negative word in formal writing and speaking.
Words like hardly and scarcely are already negative in their meaning. When you pair them with another negative word like not or n't, you create a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Let hardly and scarcely do the negative work on their own.
Section 7
Double Negatives with 'No', 'Nothing', and 'None'
Do not use no, nothing, or none with another negative word in formal writing and speaking.
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same clause, like "I don't have no time." In formal English, this is incorrect. To fix it, either remove one negative ("I have no time") or change the second negative to a positive equivalent ("I don't have any time").
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Section 1
Than vs. Then
Than is a word used in making comparisons. Then means “next” or “at that time.”
Remember the difference with this tip: than has an 'a' and is used for comparisons (more than, less than). Then has an 'e' and is used for time or sequence (first this, then that). One letter makes all the difference in meaning!
Section 2
Their, There, and They're
Their is the possessive form of they and means “belonging to them.” There is used to mean “at that place” or to begin a sentence. They’re is a contraction of they are.
These three sound alike but have very different jobs. Their shows ownership (it has 'heir' in it). There points to a location (it has 'here' in it). They're is a shortcut for 'they are' (the apostrophe replaces the 'a'). Double-check which meaning fits your sentence.
Section 3
Using 'Them' vs. 'Those'
Them should not be used as an adjective in formal writing and speaking. Use those.
Using them to describe a noun (like in "them cookies") is a common nonstandard usage. Remember, them is a pronoun that acts as an object ("I saw them"). The correct adjective to point out plural items is those. Always use those before a plural noun.
Section 4
Try To vs. Try And
In formal writing and speaking, use try to, not try and.
While we often say "try and do something" in casual conversation, the grammatically correct and more formal structure is try to. In writing, the verb try should be followed by an infinitive verb (to + verb). This is a simple switch that makes your writing more polished.
Section 5
Your vs. You're
Your is a possessive form of you. It means “belonging to you.” You’re is the contraction of you are.
Your shows ownership, like "your car" or "your idea." You're is simply a shorter way to write you are. An easy check is to substitute "you are" into your sentence. If it makes sense, use you're. If it doesn't, you need the possessive your.
Section 6
Double Negatives with 'Hardly' and 'Scarcely'
Do not use hardly or scarcely with another negative word in formal writing and speaking.
Words like hardly and scarcely are already negative in their meaning. When you pair them with another negative word like not or n't, you create a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Let hardly and scarcely do the negative work on their own.
Section 7
Double Negatives with 'No', 'Nothing', and 'None'
Do not use no, nothing, or none with another negative word in formal writing and speaking.
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same clause, like "I don't have no time." In formal English, this is incorrect. To fix it, either remove one negative ("I have no time") or change the second negative to a positive equivalent ("I don't have any time").
Book overview
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