Lesson 3: Glossary of Usage C

Definition

Avoid omitting the -d ending of the past forms of suppose and use, especially before to. Use try to rather than try and.

Explanation

It's a common mistake to drop the -d in supposed to and used to, but these phrases require it to be grammatically correct! Think of them as being in the past tense. Also, when you want to express an effort, the standard and more formal way to say it is to try to do something, not 'try and'.

Examples

• We were supposed to finish our project before the deadline. [The past form of suppose has a -d ending.]
• My family used to visit the lake every summer. [The past form of use has a -d ending.]
• He is going to try to set a new record in the race. [Use try to, not try and.]

Definition

Than is a subordinating conjunction used in comparisons. Then is an adverb telling when and usually means “after that” or “at that time.”

Explanation

Don't mix these two up! Use than when you're making a comparison, like saying one thing is faster, shorter, or different than another. Use then when you're talking about time or a sequence of events. First you do this, then you do that. Remember, the 'a' in than is for comparison.

Examples

• My science class is much more interesting than my history class. [Use than for comparisons.]
• She finished her homework and then called her friend. [Use then for time and sequence.]

Definition

This, that, these, and those are the standard forms of demonstrative adjectives. Do not use them instead of those. Do not add here or there after this or that.

Explanation

To sound clear and correct, avoid informal phrases like this here and that there. Just use this or that. Also, remember that them is a pronoun, not an adjective. When you're pointing out a group of items, the correct word to use is those to describe the noun.

Examples

• Please bring me that folder on the desk. [The standard form is that, not that there.]
• Did you see those players on the field? [Use the demonstrative adjective those, not the pronoun them.]
• This song is the best one on the album. [The standard form is this, not this here.]

Definition

Do not use when to begin a definition unless you are defining a time. Do not use where to begin a definition unless you are defining a place.

Explanation

Be precise with your definitions! Avoid starting a definition with 'is when' or 'is where' unless you are truly defining a time or a place. Instead of saying 'A party is when people celebrate,' try defining what it is: 'A party is an event where people celebrate.' This is much clearer!

Examples

• Nonstandard: Hibernation is when an animal sleeps through the winter.
• Standard: Sunset is when the sky becomes colorful. [When correctly defines a specific time.]
• Standard: The stadium is where the championship game will be held. [Where correctly defines a specific place.]

Definition

You’re is a contraction of you and are. Your is a possessive form of the pronoun you. Your means “belonging to you.”

Explanation

This is a classic mix-up! The apostrophe in you're signals that it's a shorter way of saying 'you are'. Use your (no apostrophe) to show that something belongs to someone. A quick test: if you can replace the word with 'you are' in the sentence and it still makes sense, then you're is correct!

Examples

• I heard that you're the new team captain. [You're is a contracted form of you are.]
• Please make sure your name is on the paper. [Your is possessive, meaning it belongs to you.]