MacsWebs
Spelling - Misuse
Listed in alphabetical order are words that are often either misspelled or misused. Contractions (although technically dealing with grammar) are listed here as well since their spelling is critical. Automotive manufacturer's names are listed too, odd how someone can not get a manufacturer's name spelled correctly.
alot:
Contrived from two words, "a" and "lot". Is it that hard to press the space bar
between these two? Alot is no more a word than abunch, abit, atad, afew,
atwo, athree, etc.
allot:
Generally used when user is pretty sure alot isn't a word and doesn't know
"allot" means to allocate; as in "I will allot you three tries at getting
it right."
brakes/breaks:
"Brakes" is the term used to describe what are used to stop the movement
of an automobile.
"Breaks" tells you what happen when your brakes are not working
causing your car to separate into pieces.
If you've replaced drums with discs on your car, it doesn't have new
"breaks".
convertible/convertable:
Anyone who owns a convertible and spells it
convertable doesn't deserve to own one.
its/it's:
"Its" is a possessive form of the word "it", as in my
car is in its proper parking space (it
being a vehicle in this case).
"It's" is a contraction of the two words "it" and "is"
or "it" and "has" as in it's (as in it is) parked where it
belongs or "it" and "has", as in
it's (as in it has) been parked a long time.
If you are confused as to which to use, substitute "it is" or
"it has" and see if it
makes sense. For example, "...this car has been garaged it's (it
is or it has) entire life..."
makes no sense.
through/threw:
"Through" a preposition or adverb depending on its use, as in "I stayed
up through the night working on the car." (preposition)compared to "We
drove straight through from Texas to California" (adverb)
"Threw" is a verb, the past tense of throw as in "He threw a tirade".
It's amazing how many people go "threw" their car and replace parts.
their/there/they're:
"Their" is a possessive form of the word "they", as in
their car.
"There" is a place, as in their car is parked over there.
"They're" is a contraction of the two words "they" and "are", as in
they're (they are) parked in their (the owners)
car over there (in a place).
then/than:
"Then" is an adverb, chose the sequence of tasks, as in "Do the
bodywork, then paint the car."
"Than" is a conjunction, chose one task or another, as is "I'd rather do
bodywork than paint the car."
two/to/too:
"Two" should be the easiest of the three here. "Two" is
simply the written word for the number 2.
"Too" typically is used to imply "in addition" or "also", as in ...this
too (also) shall pass. Too is also used to
mean "more than enough", as in ...it is too
hot to do much work outside.
"To" has numerous definitions, common uses are such things as "...in
contact with..." as in standing toe to toe or face to face with another
person.
your/you're:
"Your" is a possessive form of the word "you", as in
your car, describing who owns the car.
"You're" is a combination of two words, "you" and "are", as in you're
in trouble now. Can't decide which to use? If you are considering "you're"
see if your sentence makes sense by substituting "you are" in place of it.
For example, you are car makes no sense.
"You're welcome" is correct while "your welcome" is not unless the
reference is to your welcome {something} such as "Your welcome mat
should be placed outside the front door, not inside."
