After explaining who vs. that, I realized I'm still getting hung up on who's versus whose. I like apostrophes to show ownership. Unfortunately, with these two the one with the apostrophe does not equal ownership. Who's is who is. Or who has. It does not show ownership. Examples: Who's at the door? (Who is at … Continue reading Who’s vs. Whose
Farther vs. Further
It wasn't until I had a conversation with my friend the copy editor that I finally understood the difference between farther and further. That's because I knew both were about distance, I just thought the right one was whichever sounded better in the sentence. Turns out there is a difference. Farther is for physical distance. … Continue reading Farther vs. Further
All Together vs. Altogether: A Grammar Lesson
Before we can discuss the specifics, it is important to realize that this confusion is part of a bigger issue. In English, there are several words that combine all and a root word to create alroot. Follow so far? All Together is an adverb that means at the same time or as a group. For … Continue reading All Together vs. Altogether: A Grammar Lesson
Than vs. Then: A Grammar Lesson
Full disclosure, in high school, I once wrote an entire paper without than. I had convinced myself it wasn't a word. Part of that was writing the paper a little too late in the evening and part of it was general confusion. The day after I turned the paper in, my teacher stopped … Continue reading Than vs. Then: A Grammar Lesson
Bring vs. Take: A Grammar Lesson
I wasn't sure of the right answer on this one when a reader asked the other day. After some research and a quick visit to Grammar Girl, I learned that it is a fairly simple rule, you bring something to where you are, you take something to where you are going. Her example is, "I … Continue reading Bring vs. Take: A Grammar Lesson