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.
Remember that English is tricky — it can be taught and learned through tough, thorough thought, though.
itswhen indicating the possessive — example:
The cat licked its fur.
it'swhen making a contraction of it and is — example:
It's time to go.
theirwhen indicating the possessive — example:
They all had their hats on.
their[which is plural] for the singular case — example:
The user had their own idea of how to navigate the GUI.
The user had her own idea…], try to re-write the sentence so the plural properly matches [i.e.,
Users had their own ideas of….
therewhen indicating a location — example:
The refreshment stand is over there.
they'rewhen making a contraction of they and are — example:
They're going to Taco Hell tonight.
toas a preposition — example:
We are marching to Praetoria.
twowhen indicating a number or pair — example:
There are two ways to implement a loop.
toowhen indicating
also— example:Stuart wants to go, too.
werewhen indicating the plural past tense — example:
They were happy before the grades came out.
we'rewhen making a contraction of we and are — example:
We're going to have burgers and beers at the Lair.
isfor singular present tense — example:
The book 'Lions and Tigers' is interesting.
arefor plural present tense — example:
Lions and tigers are fierce creatures.
haswhen indicating singular ownership — example:
A dog has a tail and paws.
havewhen indicating plural ownership — example:
All dogs have a tail and paws.
passedwhen something has occurred previously — example:
The time for turning in assignments has passed.
pastwhen referring to a previous time — example:
That is all in the past, so don't dwell on it.
yourwhen indicating the possessive — example:
Don't bug me, or I'll get in your face!
you'rewhen making a contraction of you and are — example:
You're right, that is definitely hostile.
whetherwhen indicating an option — example:
I can't decide whether to wear my pants rolled up or down.
weatherwhen talking about meteorology — example:
Typical autumn weather ma'am?
wherewhen indicating a location — example:
Put your money where your mouth is.
wherewhen indicating a situation — example:
This is the case where your goofing off caused a problem.
This is the case in which your goofing off caused a problem.