To Whoever Wishes It

Disclaimer: this is in no way intended to point fingers, give insults, or degrade people in anyway. Instead, it is intended to aid in writing and grammar.

Over the course of my time here, and my time as a writer, I have seen more than enough people using improper grammar in the forms of both punctuation and correct word choice. (I myself have done so a few times, especially concerning the usage of it's and its.) Mostly, I have seen it in newer members - again this is not to point fingers but merely made as a general statement. As such, I thought I would make a quick guide to the latter of the two for a reference if anyone would like to use it.


Your vs. You're

Your is the possessive form of you - meaning it's what you use when you claim something for your own.
[Examples: "Is that your book?" "Your character is wonderful."]

You're is the conjunction (short combination) of you are and is used for stating the action of whoever is being referred to as 'you'.
[Example: "I see that you're working on something." "You're good at this."]


There vs. Their vs. They're

There is a place that could be either exact or vague, and is used for stating a starting point, intended destination or the location of something.
[Example: "I'm from over there." "I'm going there." "It's over there."]

Their is the possessive form of they - it acts in the same way as your, with the difference being that is it a separate conjugate.
[Example: "That's their corner." "I think it's their stuff."]

They're is the conjunction of they are and is used like you're.
[Example: "See what they're doing?" "They're doing what?!"]


It's vs. Its

It's is the conjunction of it is and is used similarly to you're and they're.
[Examples: "It's a nice day today." "I've heard it's starting at two."]

Its is the possessive, and acts like your and their.
[Example: "The bird sang its song." "That's its toy?"]


To vs. Too vs. Two

To is a highly versatile word, though its general use is indicating movement or direction, a limit of something, a purpose, or an end state.
[Example: "He went to the door." "It had grown to a foot in length." "The heat caused it to burn."]

Too is used to show something is overly much of a verb, or to show accompaniment.
[Example: "It was too hot to eat." "She noticed it too."]

Two is used as a value or amount for things.
[Example: "There were two crows." "He was only two years older."]


Here vs. Hear

Here is similar to there, though it is generally used as an opposing location.
[Example: "Oh just here and there." "What are you doing here?"]

Hear is to catch the sound of, to listen to something.
[Example: "Did you hear that?" "He could hear the others."]


Affect vs. Effect

Affect is something acting on another thing, it's the verb form or effect.
[Example: "The sun would affect the temperature." "It affected him badly."]

Effect is the result of an action or inaction, it's the noun form of affect.
[Example: "It had little effect." "The effect was not what he expected."]


I will add more if anyone wishes, or if I find more that I or others are having trouble with. I hope this helped.

- Kire