Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 12: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

Lesson 3: Glossary of Usage C

Grade 5 students using Elements of Language, 2nd Course practice correct usage of commonly confused words covered in Chapter 12's Glossary of Usage C, including than vs. then, their/there/they're, whose vs. who's, and your vs. you're. The lesson also addresses nonstandard forms such as them used as an adjective, this here/that there, and try and vs. try to, with exercises requiring students to select the standard English form in context.

Section 1

Than vs. Then

Definition

Than is a word used in making comparisons. Then is an adverb that tells when.

Explanation

This one is easy to remember! Use than, with an 'a', when you are comparing two things. For example, "An elephant is bigger than a mouse." Use then, with an 'e', when you are talking about time or when something happens next. For example, "We ate pizza, and then we had ice cream."

Examples

  • A car is faster than a bicycle is. [Than is used to make a comparison between a car and a bicycle.]
  • The students finished their quiz, and then they went to recess. [Then tells when the students went to recess.]

Section 2

Their vs There vs They're

Definition

Their is the possessive form of they; it 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.

Explanation

Let's break down this tricky trio! Their has the word 'heir' in it, and an heir inherits things, so it shows ownership. There has the word 'here' in it, so it points to a place. And they're has an apostrophe, which is a signal that it's two words squished together: they are. Always test if 'they are' fits in the sentence!

Examples

  • The players celebrated with their coach. [Their means “belonging to the players.”]
  • Please put the box over there. [There means “at that place.”]
  • There are two cookies left on the plate. [There begins the sentence.]
  • They're practicing for the school play. [They're is a contraction of they are.]

Section 3

Using Them and Those

Definition

Them should not be used as an adjective. Use those.

Explanation

Here's a simple rule: them receives an action, like in "Give the balls to them." But when you are pointing out which items you mean, and the word comes right before the noun, you must use those. Think of it as answering the question "Which ones?" You should use those ones, not 'them ones'.

Examples

  • Nonstandard: Did you see them birds flying south?
  • Standard: Did you see those birds flying south?
  • Nonstandard: Please wash them dirty dishes.
  • Standard: Please wash those dirty dishes.

Section 4

This Here and That There

Definition

The words here and there are not needed after this and that.

Explanation

This is a great way to make your writing sound more professional! The words this and that are already pointing words, so adding here or there right after them is repetitive. Just say "This apple" instead of "This here apple." It's cleaner, clearer, and sounds much smoother.

Examples

  • Nonstandard: This here pencil is broken.
  • Standard: This pencil is broken.
  • Nonstandard: Is that there dog friendly?
  • Standard: Is that dog friendly?

Section 5

Try And vs Try To

Definition

In informal situations, try and is often used for try to. In formal speaking and writing, try to should be used.

Explanation

While you might hear your friends say, "I'll try and make it," this is very casual language. For school assignments and formal situations, you should always choose the more polished option: try to. It shows that you are making a clear effort to do something. Always use 'try to' in your writing.

Examples

  • Informal: We will try and get to the game on time.
  • Formal: We will try to get to the game on time.
  • Informal: Please try and remember the rules.
  • Formal: Please try to remember the rules.

Section 6

Whose vs Who's

Definition

Whose is used as the possessive form of who; it means “belonging to whom.” Whose is also used as an interrogative pronoun—a pronoun that begins a question. Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has.

Explanation

To choose the right word, ask yourself two questions. First, are you asking who owns something? If yes, use whose. For example, "Whose jacket is this?" Second, can you replace the word with "who is" or "who has"? If yes, you need the apostrophe: who's. For example, "Who's knocking on the window?"

Examples

  • Does she know whose lunchbox this is? [Whose shows possession and means “belonging to whom.”]
  • Whose turn is it to set the table? [Whose is an interrogative pronoun that begins a question.]
  • Who’s your favorite author? [Who's is a contraction of who is.]

Section 7

Your vs You're

Definition

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

Explanation

Here is a quick check! Use your when you are talking about something that belongs to someone, like "Is this your dog?" If you can replace the word in the sentence with the two words you are and it still makes sense, then you must use you're. For example, "You're an amazing singer!" means "You are an amazing singer!"

Examples

  • Please raise your hand to ask a question. [Your means “belonging to you.”]
  • I heard that you're moving to a new city. [You're is a contraction of you are.]

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Section 1

Than vs. Then

Definition

Than is a word used in making comparisons. Then is an adverb that tells when.

Explanation

This one is easy to remember! Use than, with an 'a', when you are comparing two things. For example, "An elephant is bigger than a mouse." Use then, with an 'e', when you are talking about time or when something happens next. For example, "We ate pizza, and then we had ice cream."

Examples

  • A car is faster than a bicycle is. [Than is used to make a comparison between a car and a bicycle.]
  • The students finished their quiz, and then they went to recess. [Then tells when the students went to recess.]

Section 2

Their vs There vs They're

Definition

Their is the possessive form of they; it 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.

Explanation

Let's break down this tricky trio! Their has the word 'heir' in it, and an heir inherits things, so it shows ownership. There has the word 'here' in it, so it points to a place. And they're has an apostrophe, which is a signal that it's two words squished together: they are. Always test if 'they are' fits in the sentence!

Examples

  • The players celebrated with their coach. [Their means “belonging to the players.”]
  • Please put the box over there. [There means “at that place.”]
  • There are two cookies left on the plate. [There begins the sentence.]
  • They're practicing for the school play. [They're is a contraction of they are.]

Section 3

Using Them and Those

Definition

Them should not be used as an adjective. Use those.

Explanation

Here's a simple rule: them receives an action, like in "Give the balls to them." But when you are pointing out which items you mean, and the word comes right before the noun, you must use those. Think of it as answering the question "Which ones?" You should use those ones, not 'them ones'.

Examples

  • Nonstandard: Did you see them birds flying south?
  • Standard: Did you see those birds flying south?
  • Nonstandard: Please wash them dirty dishes.
  • Standard: Please wash those dirty dishes.

Section 4

This Here and That There

Definition

The words here and there are not needed after this and that.

Explanation

This is a great way to make your writing sound more professional! The words this and that are already pointing words, so adding here or there right after them is repetitive. Just say "This apple" instead of "This here apple." It's cleaner, clearer, and sounds much smoother.

Examples

  • Nonstandard: This here pencil is broken.
  • Standard: This pencil is broken.
  • Nonstandard: Is that there dog friendly?
  • Standard: Is that dog friendly?

Section 5

Try And vs Try To

Definition

In informal situations, try and is often used for try to. In formal speaking and writing, try to should be used.

Explanation

While you might hear your friends say, "I'll try and make it," this is very casual language. For school assignments and formal situations, you should always choose the more polished option: try to. It shows that you are making a clear effort to do something. Always use 'try to' in your writing.

Examples

  • Informal: We will try and get to the game on time.
  • Formal: We will try to get to the game on time.
  • Informal: Please try and remember the rules.
  • Formal: Please try to remember the rules.

Section 6

Whose vs Who's

Definition

Whose is used as the possessive form of who; it means “belonging to whom.” Whose is also used as an interrogative pronoun—a pronoun that begins a question. Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has.

Explanation

To choose the right word, ask yourself two questions. First, are you asking who owns something? If yes, use whose. For example, "Whose jacket is this?" Second, can you replace the word with "who is" or "who has"? If yes, you need the apostrophe: who's. For example, "Who's knocking on the window?"

Examples

  • Does she know whose lunchbox this is? [Whose shows possession and means “belonging to whom.”]
  • Whose turn is it to set the table? [Whose is an interrogative pronoun that begins a question.]
  • Who’s your favorite author? [Who's is a contraction of who is.]

Section 7

Your vs You're

Definition

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

Explanation

Here is a quick check! Use your when you are talking about something that belongs to someone, like "Is this your dog?" If you can replace the word in the sentence with the two words you are and it still makes sense, then you must use you're. For example, "You're an amazing singer!" means "You are an amazing singer!"

Examples

  • Please raise your hand to ask a question. [Your means “belonging to you.”]
  • I heard that you're moving to a new city. [You're is a contraction of you are.]

Book overview

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Chapter 12: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

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    Lesson 1: Glossary of Usage A

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    Lesson 2: Glossary of Usage B

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    Lesson 3: Glossary of Usage C

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