When you are writing your homework, or if you decide to do a term paper for your semester project, or even if you are writing comments in your JavaScript, html, or CSS code, you will need to observe the proper rules of basic grammar. If you do not, you will get a lower grade. Your homework is not just about "getting the right answers"; it is also about expressing yourself. This fact will become especially apparent when you are writing answers to the Social Issues questions from the textbook.

To assist you in getting the best possible grades, expressing your thoughts in correct English grammar, and making sure that you are able to make yourself understood to the best of your ability, here are a few helpful hints from the resident Grammar Nazi.

• Use "its" when indicating the possessive — example: "The cat licked its fur."
  Use "it's" when making a contractoin of it and is — example: "It's time to go."
• Use "their" when indicating the possessive — example: "They all had their hats on."
  Use "there" when indicating a location — example: "The refreshment stand is over there."
  Use "they're" when making a contraction of they and are — example: "They're going to Taco Bell tonight."
• Use "to" as a preposition — example: "We are marching to Praetoria."
  Use "two" when indicating a number or pair — example: "There are two ways to implement a loop."
  Use "too" when indicating "also" — example: "Stuart wants to go, too."
• Use "were" when indicating the plural past tense — example: "They were happy before the grades came out."
  Use "we're" when making a contraction of we and are — example: "We're going to have burgers and beers at the Lair."
• Use "is" for singluar present tense — example: "The book 'Lions and Tigers' is interesting."
  Use "are" for plural present tense — example: "Lions and tigers are fierce creatures."
• Use "has" when indicating singular ownership — example: "A dog has a tail and paws."
  Use "have" when indicating plural ownership — example: "All dogs have a tail and paws."
• Use "passed" when something has occurred previously — example: "The time for turning in assignments has passed."
  Use "past" when referring to a previous time — example: "That is all in the past, so don't dwell on it."
• Use "your" when indicating the possessive — example: "Don't bug me, or I'll get in your face!"
  Use "you're" when blahblahblah — example: "You're right, that is definitely hostile."