The Trouble with Words

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The Trouble with Words

• Presented by

Writing Center
Texas AM International University
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Objectives

• Refresh students memory on the correct use of
  articles (a, an, the).
• Explain the differences between words that sound
  the same but have different meanings (homonyms).

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An article

• Signals that a noun will follow
• May immediately precede a noun
• May be separated from a noun by modifiers

• There are two types of articles
• Definite Articles
• Indefinite Articles

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Definite ArticleThe

• Use the when you refer to a specific something
  or someone.
• For example
• The book that I am reading is interesting.

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Indefinite ArticlesA An

• Use a or an when you refer to something that
  is general, singular, and countable (has a plural
  form).
• For example
• I found a country on the map.
• My mother works at an office.

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Omission of Articles

• Dont use a, an, or the before general,
  uncountable nouns (things that cannot be directly
  counted because they do not have plural forms).
• For example
• We believe in a love.
• He speaks the Portuguese.

Instead
We believe in love. (general)
He speaks Portuguese. (non-specific)
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Homonyms

• Greek for same name

• One of two or more words that have the same
  sound and often the same spelling but differ in
  meaning.

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To, Too, and Two

• To expresses motion or direction toward a point,
  person, place, or thing

• Example My instructor referred me to the Writing
  Center.

• Too in addition also very extremely

• Example The new student was interesting, smart,
  and fun, too.

• Example The chicken is too spicy.

• Two a set of many persons or things

• Example The instructor asked that we bring two
  pencils for the exam.

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There, Their, and Theyre

• There in or at that place (opposed to here)

• Example I wish I were there instead of here.

• Their the possessive form of they used to
  show ownership

• Example The students used their skills to get an
  A on their exams.

• Theyre contraction of they are

• Example Theyre running out of things to write
  about. Its time to brainstorm!

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Are, Or, and Our

• Are plural form of to be

• Example There are many reasons why I do not want
  to take this exam.

• Or Used to connect words that are alternatives

• Example Do you need a pencil or a pen for the
  exam?

• Our possessive form of we

• Example Our only hope of passing is to do our
  work and do it well.

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Its and Its

• Its the possessive form of it

• Example The book has lost its cover.

• Its contraction of it is

• Example Its important for you to prepare for
  the exam.

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Your and Youre

• Your possessive form of you indicates what
  belongs to ones self

• Example Your ideas on the essay are interesting
  and thought-provoking.

• Youre contraction of you are

• Example Youre very good at explaining your
  ideas.

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Whose and Whos

• Whose The possessive form of who

• Example Whose homework is this?

• Whos Contraction of who is or who has

• Example Whos answering the phone?

• Example Whos seen the new play?

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Very and Vary

• Very extremely exceedingly

• Example The grade on my exam was very low.

• Vary to be different from something else

• Example Peoples opinions on abortion vary
  greatly.

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Affect and Effect

• Affect to act on produce a change in

• Example His words affected the crowd so deeply
  that many wept.

• Effect to bring about, accomplish

• Example Exposure to the sun had a negative
  effect on his skin.

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Than and Then

• Than to make an unequal comparison

• Example This exam was much easier than the first
  exam I took.

• Then as a consequence in those circumstances

• Example If you dont study, then you cannot
  expect to understand the lecture.

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This and These

• This used to identify a specific singular item
  or object

• Example This test is easier than I thought.

• These used to identify specific plural items or
  objects

• Example These students will pass the test with
  high grades.

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Shouldve and Should of

• Shouldve contraction of should have

• Example I shouldve tried harder. I know that I
  am capable of earning an A.

• Should of

DOES NOT EXIST