Course 151: Language Arts

Chapter 7
 TROUBLESOME W O R D S

Goal:
Know the difference between words and
how to use them appropriately.
 are not - aren’t
can not - can’t
could not - couldn’t
did not - didn’t
Contraction does not - doesn’t
do not - don’t
had not - hadn’t
A contraction is a has not - hasn’t
have not - haven’t
word made by he had; he would - he’d
he will; he shall - he’ll
shortening and he is; he has - he’s
I had; I would - I’d
combining two I will; I shall - I’ll
I am -I’m
words, I have - I’ve
Is not - isn’t
let us - let’s
usually with an might not - mightn’t
must not - mustn’t
apostrophe(’). shall not - shan’t
she will; she shall - she’ll
she is; she has - she’s
should not - shouldn’t
that is; that has - that’s
there has; there is - there’s
they had; they would - they’d
they will; they shall - they’ll
they are - they’re
they have - they’ve
we had; we would - we’d
we are - we’re
we have - we’ve
were not - weren’t
what will; what shall - what’ll
what are - what’re
what is; what has - what’s
what have - what’ve
where is; where has - where’s
who had; who would -who’d
who will; who shall - who’ll
who is; who has -who’s
will not - won’t
would not - wouldn’t
you had; you would - you’d
you will; you shall - you’ll
you are - you’re
you have - you’ve
When you’re in a hurry

You might spell or write words the other

way around. You need to be aware of this
mistake and know when to use the right
words.
1. ITS: IS A POSSESSIVE PRONOUN
IT SHOWS SINGULAR OWNERSHIP

Example:
1. The birds lay in its nest.
2. Its wings were weak.
2. IT’S: IS A CONTRACTION OF TWO
WORDS.
•When you see the word it’s, imagine the words
it is. That way you will know the correct usage.
Example:
1. It’s going to rain today.
2. It’s very cold now.
3. THERE, THEIR, THEY’RE
A.There has two uses. It shows a place and is used with verbs.
Example: 1. Your book is over there(P).

2. There are(V) or There is(V)

B. Their means something belongs to them(group of people)
Example: 1. Their hands were raised up.
2. I didn't know that it was their car.
C.They’re is a contraction
Example: 1. They’re crazy friends.
2. Do you know how they’re going home?
4. Than and Then
A. Than is used in comparative sentences, which means to
compare two things or someone.

Example: 1. I would rather be an author than a poet.

2. Communication skills of Alex are better than Ben.
3. I prefer walking rather than jogging.

B. Then is an action word, which is an expression of time,

which means what happens next.

Example: 1. First think, and then speak.

2. If you study harder, then you will succeed.
3. First, I will do my work, then I will play games.
5. To and Too
A. To is a very common word that performs many different functions, such as
1. Destination/direction Example: I’m driving to the college.
2. Indicate an object or recipient Example: Give the bag to me.
3. Set a range/limit Example: Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
4. Goes before a verb Example: I want to eat an apple.
B. Too means “also” or “as well” (I’m going, too) or “to an excessive degree”
(too much).
Example: 1. Can I come too?
2. My friend missed lunch, too.
3. My cat is too fat.
6. Of and Off
A. Of' is used to show a relationship or connection between
someone or something to another.

Example: 1. I have a pair of shoes.

2. 21 June is the longest day of the year.

B. Off means away from someone or something, means it

expresses the act of detachment from a person, place, or
object

Example:
1. Switch off the fan now.
2. You should turn off the computer, before leaving the class.
3. The plane took off, after an hour of delay.
 Let’s practice

http://www.esldesk.com/common-errors-
english/off-of