My Turn: Your so awesome ... only not
Kelli Hogue
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Perspective
- Page 1 of 1
I would first like to acknowledge that the grammatical error in the title of this article is entirely intentional.
If you are rereading the title and asking "What error?" then this is definitely the article for you.
Though enjoyed by many, Facebook can lead several of its grammatically-conscious users to insanity. We've all seen it before in a post on someone's wall:
"Hey bro, your a pimp" or some other congratulatory compliment from one alpha male to another.
Three words have caused me to ignore the wall signing as much as possible.
Those are: to/too, your/you're, and their/there/they're. I feel so strongly about it I am a member of the group "IT'S YOU'RE, NOT YOUR," created by a friend of mine - the lovely and fabulous Molly McBride.
In an attempt to suppress this problem, I have decided to make a quick and painless (and fun!) grammar lesson with examples for you readers out there.
To/Too
To: This is used to express a motion to a point or place.
Example 1: "Are you going to class?"
Too: This means also or in excess.
Example 1:
Student #1: "I have more fines in [ridiculously-overpriced] parking tickets than tuition!"
Student #2: "Me, too!"
Board of Regents member: "Not anymore."
Example 2: "I am too hung over to think."
Their/There/They're
Their: This is used to show ownership.
Example 1: "The Black Eyed Peas broke up when they realized their lead singer was a totally lame skank."
There: This can be used to designate a destination or place.
Example 1: "What's that over there?"
They're: This is the contraction of they and are. They + are = they're.
Example 1:
Student #1: "Have you heard the band Fall Out Boy?"
Student #2: "Yes, they're terrible."
Example 2: "Be nice to music majors. They're extremely overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated."
Your/You're
Your: This is used to show ownership.
Example 1: "Your face could stop a train."
Example 2: "Your mama is so fat when she opens the fridge, it says 'I give up.'"
Example 3: "Omigod, Brittany, your rib cage is showing through your flesh! You look great! Your laxative binge diet is really paying off!"
You're: This is a contraction. You + are = you're.
Example 1: "You're fugly."
Example 2: "You're lucky you have spell check." Sorry, couldn't resist that one.
There's your basic overview on correct use of the terms listed; grammar made simple and fun.
But be aware of the fact each word can mean many different things and there are always exceptions to grammar rules.
Please take these to heart and use them in your Facebooking/MySpacing/blogging lives.
I'm sure your professors will appreciate it!
If you are rereading the title and asking "What error?" then this is definitely the article for you.
Though enjoyed by many, Facebook can lead several of its grammatically-conscious users to insanity. We've all seen it before in a post on someone's wall:
"Hey bro, your a pimp" or some other congratulatory compliment from one alpha male to another.
Three words have caused me to ignore the wall signing as much as possible.
Those are: to/too, your/you're, and their/there/they're. I feel so strongly about it I am a member of the group "IT'S YOU'RE, NOT YOUR," created by a friend of mine - the lovely and fabulous Molly McBride.
In an attempt to suppress this problem, I have decided to make a quick and painless (and fun!) grammar lesson with examples for you readers out there.
To/Too
To: This is used to express a motion to a point or place.
Example 1: "Are you going to class?"
Too: This means also or in excess.
Example 1:
Student #1: "I have more fines in [ridiculously-overpriced] parking tickets than tuition!"
Student #2: "Me, too!"
Board of Regents member: "Not anymore."
Example 2: "I am too hung over to think."
Their/There/They're
Their: This is used to show ownership.
Example 1: "The Black Eyed Peas broke up when they realized their lead singer was a totally lame skank."
There: This can be used to designate a destination or place.
Example 1: "What's that over there?"
They're: This is the contraction of they and are. They + are = they're.
Example 1:
Student #1: "Have you heard the band Fall Out Boy?"
Student #2: "Yes, they're terrible."
Example 2: "Be nice to music majors. They're extremely overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated."
Your/You're
Your: This is used to show ownership.
Example 1: "Your face could stop a train."
Example 2: "Your mama is so fat when she opens the fridge, it says 'I give up.'"
Example 3: "Omigod, Brittany, your rib cage is showing through your flesh! You look great! Your laxative binge diet is really paying off!"
You're: This is a contraction. You + are = you're.
Example 1: "You're fugly."
Example 2: "You're lucky you have spell check." Sorry, couldn't resist that one.
There's your basic overview on correct use of the terms listed; grammar made simple and fun.
But be aware of the fact each word can mean many different things and there are always exceptions to grammar rules.
Please take these to heart and use them in your Facebooking/MySpacing/blogging lives.
I'm sure your professors will appreciate it!
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Trent
posted 1/31/07 @ 10:11 PM EST
I feel the same way. I clicked on the article hoping the misspelling was intentional! It is really, really annoying to see these words misused! Another thing is the use, or lack of use, of an apostrophe. (Continued…)
Stephanie Frey
posted 2/01/07 @ 2:54 PM EST
Despite what Microsoft Word believes, I think "hungover" is one word.
Danny Miller
posted 2/02/07 @ 9:41 AM EST
Kelli,
Hallarious artikel, Eye luved it. Gud dizkussun on grahamatikel foe pawz. Keap up you're gud werk. Due yew realie thenk muzik mayjurs have it sew herd? Tahk kare. (Continued…)
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