Language Arts 8th Grade
What We've Learned This Year.... By Erin Guidry
Chapter One: The Sentence
Sentences
Example: SENTENCE- Sean was chosen captain of the soccer team.
SENTENCE FRAGMENT- was a well known ragtime pianist. {this has no subject}
Subject
Examples:
SUBJECT- The kitten with the white paws is called Boots.
COMPLETE SUBJECT- The cat who has sharp nails clawed me.
SIMPLE SUBJECT- Someone in this room is about to get a big surprise!
COMPOUND SUBJECT- Keisha and Todd worked a big jigsaw puzzle.
Predicate
Examples:
PREDICATE- The dog ran around the yard quickly.
COMPLETE PREDICATE- Under a large bush sat the tiny puppy.
SIMPLE PREDICATE {VERB}- The dog is jumping to get the bird.
COMPOUND VERB- The dog barked and growled at the stranger.
Types of Sentences
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark.
An exclamatory sentence shows excitement or strong feeling and ends with an exclamation point.
Examples:
DECLARATIVE- I have a laptop.
IMPERATIVE- Go grab my computer out of its bag.
INTERROGATIVE- Who is on my laptop?
EXCLAMATORY- Yay, my computer case is in!
Chapter Two: Parts of Speech Overview
Nouns
Examples:
NOUN- Person: lady, Place: store, Thing: milk, Idea: loyalty
COMPOUND NOUN- basketball (basket--ball)
COMMON NOUN- store
PROPER NOUN- Super One
CONCRETE NOUN- popcorn
ABSTRACT NOUN- love
COLLECTIVE NOUN- pack
Pronouns
Examples:
PRONOUN- he, she, they, themselves
PERSONAL PRONOUN- i, me, my, we, us, yours, he, him, his
REFLEXIVE AND INTENSIVE PRONOUN- myself, ourselves, himself, herself
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN- this, that, these, those
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN- what, which, who, whom, whose
RELATIVE PRONOUN- that, which, who, whom, whose
INDEFINITE PRONOUN- all, both, everybody, few, more, neither, other, several
Adjective
Example:
ADJECTIVE- The strong lock would not open.
Chapter 3: Parts of Speech Overview
Verb
Example:
VERB- The bird drifted high in the sky.
HELPING VERB and VERB PHRASE- The bird has been nesting her eggs in that tree.
ACTION VERB- The bird makes the nest very durable.
LINKING VERB- The bird is one of the many animals that can fly.
TRANSITIVE VERB- Joel held the baby birds after they had hatched.
ADVERB- The birds hatched nearby.
Preposition
Example:
PREPOSITION- The package under the tree is mine.
OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION- The package under the tree is mine.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE- The package under the tree is mine.
Conjunction
Example:
CONJUNCTION- and, but, nor, for, or, so, yet
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION- {read down below}
both...and
either...or
neither...nor
whether...or
not only...but also
Interjection
Example:
wow, ah, oh, aha, well
Chapter 4: Compliments
Compliment
Example:
COMPLIMENT- Marlene brought sandwiches.
Direct and Indirect Objects
Example:
DIRECT OBJECT- Mr. Ito greets whoever comes into the skate shop.
INDIRECT OBJECT- Luke showed the class his collection of skate boards.
Subject Complements, Predicate Nominatives, and Predicate Adjectives
Example:
SUBJECT COMPLEMENT- The lemonade tastes sour.
P.N.- Is the winner whoever drinks the most lemonade?
P.A.- The lemonade tastes sweet.
Chapter 5: The Phrase
Phrase
Example:
PHRASE: Saturday became a cool wet afternoon.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE: I waited for a while.
ADJECTIVE PHRASE: The pie is very delicious and extremely expensive.
ADVERB PHRASE: We made sure our picnic was around the sun.
Verbals and Verbal Phrases
Example:
VERBAL: participles, gerunds, and infinitives.
PARTICIPLE: The smiling child waved.
PARTICIPIAL PHRASE: Seeing itself in the mirror, the child seemed quite bewildered.
Gerund and Gerund Phrase
Example:
GERUND: Skiing down that slope was fun.
GERUND PHRASE: The townspeople heard the loud clanging of the fire bell.
Infinitive and Infinitive Phrases
Example:
INFINITIVE: The best time to visit Florida is December through April.
INFINITIVE PHRASE: We lay in the hot sun to get a nice tan.
Appositive and Appositive Phrases
Example:
APPOSITIVE: The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, was the first person to walk on the moon.
APPOSITIVE PHRASE: Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, inserted an American flag on the top.
Chapter 6: The Clause
Clause, Independent Clause, and Subordinate Clause
Example:
CLAUSE: When she lived in Paris [incomplete thought]
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: The sun set an hour ago [ this whole thing is an independent clause]
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: what she saw [not a complete thought]
Adjective Clause and Adverb Clause
Example:
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE: Pizza, which most people love, is not very healthy.
RELATIVE PRONOUN: The pizza, which we ate last night, is cold and hard now.
ADVERB CLAUSE: Whether you like it or not, you have to eat the pizza.
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION: She will wash the dirty dishes once her roommate finishes eating.
Noun Clause
Example:
NOUN CLAUSE: Whoever thought of that idea is a genius!
Chapter 7: Sentence Structure
Sentence Structure
*Definitions Below*
Simple Sentence
Example:
SIMPLE SENTENCE: The hairstylist gave Latrice a new look.
Compound Sentence
Example:
COMPOUND SENTENCE: The whistle blew, the drums rolled, and the crowd cheered.
Complex Sentence
Example:
COMPLEX SENTENCE: When I watch Martha Graham's performances, I feel like studying dance.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Example:
COMPOUND-COMPLEX: Yolanda began painting only two years ago, but already she has been asked to show one of her paintings at the exhibit that is scheduled for May.
Chapter 8: Agreement
Number
Example: The dogs play.
Singular: The dog plays.
Plural: The students arrive.
Agreement of Subject and Verb
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs.
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
In a verb phrase, the first helping verb agrees in number with the subject.
Example:
Singular: The car comes to an sudden stop.
Plural: The dolphins leap playfully in the channel.
Problems in Agreement: Phrases and Clauses Between Subjects and Verbs
Example: The lights on the Christmas tree create a festive atmosphere.
Problems in Agreement: Indefinite Pronouns
1. The following Indefinite pronouns are singular: anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, nothing, no one, one, somebody, someone, and something
2. The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, and several
3. The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some may be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in a sentence.
Example:
1. Everyone was invited to the celebration.
2. Many of the students walk to school.
3. All of the fruit looks ripe.
Problems in Agreement: Compound Subjects
2. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural verb.
3. When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb
Example:
1. Last year a library and a museum were built in our town.
2. A pen and a pencil is needed for this test.
3. Neither the manager nor the employees want to close the store early.
Other Problems Agreement
2. The contractions don't and doesn't should agree with their subjects.
3. A collective noun may be either singular or plural depending on its meaning in a sentence.
4. An expression of an amount (a measurement, a percentage, or a fraction for example) may be singular or plural, depending on how it is used.
5. Some nouns that are plural in form take singular verbs.
6. Even when plural in form, the title of a creative work (such as a book, song, movie or painting) or the name of a country, city, or organization generally takes a singular verb.
7. A verb agrees with its subject but not necessarily with a predicate nominative
Example:
1. Here is my seat.
2. These gloves don't fit.
3. Tomorrow the science class is taking a field trip to the planetarium.
4. Three years seems like a long time.
5. Economics is my sister's favorite subject.
6. Cedar Rapids is a manufacturing center in the Midwest.
7. The best time to visit is weekday mornings.
Agreement of Pronoun and Antecedent
2. use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by or or nor.
3. Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and
4. Some indefinite pronouns are plural, some are singular and some may be either.
a. Use a singular pronoun to refer to anybody anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, and nothing.
b. The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both few, many, and several.
c. The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some may be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in a sentence.
5. Either a singular or a plural pronoun may be used to refer to a collective noun, depending on the meaning of the sentence.
6. An expression of an amount may take a singular or plural pronoun, depending on how the expression is used
7. Some nouns that are plural in form take singular pronouns
8. Use a singular pronoun to refer to the title of a creative work (such as a book, song, movie, or painting).
9. Use a singular pronoun to refer to the name of a country, city, or organization.
Example:
1. Bryan lost his book.
2. Julio or Van will bring his football.
3. My mother and father send their regards.
4a. Each of the birds built its own nest.
4b. Were both of the concerts canceled, or were they just rescheduled?
4c. All of the casserole looks burned, doesn't it?
5. The first group will give its presentation next Friday.
6. Ten dollars is all I need. I think I can earn it over the weekend.
7. Singular: I spilled the molasses and had to clean it up.
Plural: Please hand me the scissors when you are finished with them.
8. After reading "Neighbors," I recommended it to Juanita.
9. The Knights of Pythias expects its members to maintain high moral standards.
Chapter 9: Using Verbs Correctly
The Principal Parts of a Verb
Examples:
I sing in the school Glee Club.
We are singing at the music festival tonight
Mahalia Jackson sang spirituals at Carnegie Hall.
We have sung all over the state.
Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs
Examples:
Regular: She used to work in the library.
Irregular: Carlos went to the shopping mall.
Verb Tense
The tense of the verb indicates the time of the action or state of being expressed by the verb.
Past - existing or happening in the past
Present - existing or happening now
Future - existing or happening in the future
Past Perfect - existing or happening before a specific time in the past
Present Perfect - existing or happening sometime before now; may be continuing now
Future Perfect - existing or happening before a specific time in the future
Example:
Melissa has saved [present perfect] her money, and now she has [present] enough for a guitar.
The scouts had hiked [past perfect] five miles before they stopped [past] for lunch.
The executive will have seen [future perfect] there report by next and will make [future] a decision
Verb Tense: Conjugating and Progressive Form
Listing the different forms of a verb in the six tenses is called conjugating a verb.
Each of the six tenses has an additional form called the progressive form, which expresses continuing action or state of being. The progressive is not a separate tense but rather another form of each of the six tenses.
Only the present and the past tenses have another form, called the emphatic form which is used to show emphasis. In the present tense, the emphatic form consists of the helping verb do or does and the base form of the verb. In the past tense, the emphatic form consists of the verb did and the base form of a verb.
Examples:
Present Progressive am, are, is writing
Past Progressive was, were writing
Future Progressive will, shall be writing
Present Perfect Progressive Has, have been writing
Past Perfect Progressive had been writing
Future Perfect Progressive will, shall have been writing
Present Emphatic do, does writ
Past Emphatic did write
Verb Tense: Consistency of Tense
Do not change needlessly from one tense to another.
When describing events that occur at the same time, use verbs in the same tense.
When describing events that occur at different times, use verbs in different tenses to show the order of events.
Examples:
INCONSISTENT:
When we were comfortable, we begin to do our homework.
CONSISTENT:
When we were comfortable, we began to do our homework.
Verb Tense: Active Voice and Passive Voice
A verb in the active voice expresses an action done by its subject. A verb in the passive voice expresses an action done to its subject.
Examples:
ACTIVE VOICE:
The school librarian has formed a book club.
PASSIVE VOICE:
A book club has been formed by the school librarian.
Special Problems with Verbs
Sit and Set - the verb sit means "to rest in an upright, seated position" or "to be in a place." Sit seldom takes an object. The verb set means "to put (something) in a place." Set usually takes an object.
Lie and Lay - The verb lie means "to rest," "to recline," or "to be in a place." Lie does not take an objet. The verb lay means "to put (something) in a place." Lay usually takes an object.
Rise and Raise - The verb rise means "to go up" or "to get up." Rise does not take an object. The verb raise means "to lift up" or "to cause (something) to rise." Raise usually takes an object.
Examples:
The napkins are lying next to the plates.
The servers are laying extra napkins beside every plate for the barbecue.
The soldiers lay very still while the enemy passed.
The soldiers laid a trap for the enemy.
Rip Van Winkle had lain asleep for twenty years.
Rip Van Winkle had laid his gun on the ground.
My neighbors rise very early in the morning.
Every morning they raise their shades to let the sunlight in.
Sparks rose from the flames of the campfire.
The breeze raised sparks high into the air.
The senators have risen from their seats to show respect for the chief justice.
The senators have raised a number of issues.
Chapter 10: Using Pronouns Correctly
Case
Case is the form that a noun or pronoun takes to show its relationship to other words in a sentence.
There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive.
Example:
NOMINATIVE CASE: The singer received a standing ovation. [subject]
OBJECTIVE CASE: The audience gave the singer a standing ovation. [indirect object]
POSSESIVE CASE: Many of the singer's fans waited outside the theater.
Case: Nominative
Nominative case pronouns - I, you, he she, it, we, and they - are used as subjects of verbs and as predicate nominatives.
The subject of a verb should be in the nominative case.
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that is in the predicate and that identifies or refers to the subject of the verb. A personal pronoun used as a predicate nominative follows a linking verb, usually a form of the verb be (am, is, are, was, were, be, or been).
The predicate nominative should be in the nominative case.
Examples:
SUBJECT: I like classical music. [I is the subject of like]
PREDICATE NOMINATIVE: The last one to leave was he. [He follow the linking verb was and identifies the subject one]
Case: Objective Case
Objective case pronouns - me, you, him, her, it, us, and them - are used as direct objects, indirect objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of the verb. A direct object should be in the objective case.
Indirect objects often appear in sentences containing direct objects An indirect object tells to whom or what or for whom or what the action of the verb is done. An indirect object usually comes between an action verb and its direct object.
An indirect object should be in the objective case. Indirect objects do not follow prepositions. A noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is called the object of the preposition. Together, the preposition, its object, and any modifiers of that object make a prepositional phrase. An object of a preposition should be in the objective case.
Examples:
DIRECT OBJECT: Evan surprised them. [Them tells whom Evan surprised]
INDIRECT OBJECT: Coach Mendez gave them a pep talk. [Them tells to whom Coach Mendez gave a pep talk]
OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION: When did you mail the package to them? [Them is the object of the preposition to]
Case: Possessive Case
The personal pronouns in the possessive case - my mine, your, yours his, her, hers, its our ours, their, theirs-are used to show ownership or possession.
The possessive pronouns mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs are used as parts of a sentence I the same ways in which pronouns in the nominative and the objective case are used
The possessive pronouns my, your, his, her, its, our and their are used before nouns to show ownership or possession.
Example:
SUBJECT: Your car and mine need tuneups.
PREDICATE NOMINATIVE: This jacket is hers.
DIRECT OBJECT: We painted ours yesterday.
INDIRECT OBJECT: Ali gave theirs her complete attention.
OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION: Next to yours, my bonsai crabapple tee looks puny.
Special Pronoun Problems
Example:
Do you know who they are?
Mayor Neiman, whom I have met, is intelligent.
Appositives and Reflexive Pronouns
An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it. A pronoun used as an appositive is in the same case as the word to which it refers.
Reflexive pronouns such as himself and themselves can be used as objects. Do not use the nonstandard forms hisself and theirselfs or theirselves in place of himself and themselves.
Example:
APPOSITIVE: Every student except two, him and her, joined the archaeological dig.
REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS:
Nonstandard: The mayor voted for hisself in May's election.
Standard: The mayor voted for himself in May's election.
Chapter 11: Using Modifiers Correctly
Modifiers: Adjective or Adverb?
A modifier is a word or word group that makes the meaning of another word or word group more specific. Two parts of speech are used as modifiers: adjectives and adverbs.
If a word in the predicate modifies the subject of the verb use the adjective form. If it modifies the verb use the adverb form.
Example:
ADJECTIVE: Greyhounds are fast dogs.
ADVERB: Greyhounds run fast.
Good and Well
Good is an adjective. It should be used to modify a noun or a pronoun. Good should not be used to modify a verb.
Well may be used either as a adjective or as an adverb. As an adjective, well has two meanings: "in good health" or "satisfactory."
Feel good and feel well mean two different things. Feel good means "to feel happy or pleased." Feel well means to "to feel healthy."
Example:
NONSTANDARD: Paula does good in all her school subjects.
STANDARD: Paula does well in all her school subjects.
Comparison of Modifiers
The three degrees of comparison are the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.
Example:
This building is tall. [no comparison]
This building is taller than that one. [one compared with one]
This building is the tallest one in the world. [one compared with many]
Regular Comparison
Two-syllable modifiers form the comparative degree by adding --er or using more and form the superlative degree by adding --est or using most.
Modifiers that have three or more syllables form the comparative degree by using more and the superlative degree by using most.
To show a decrease in the qualities they express, modifiers form the comparative degree by using less and the superlative degree by using least.
Example:
Positive: sharp
Comparative: sharper
Superlatives: sharpest
Irregular Comparison
Example:
Positive: good
Comparative: better
Superlative: best
Use of Comparative and Superlative Forms
Examples:
COMPARATIVE: The second problem is harder than the first.
SUPERLATIVE: Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
Include the word over or else when comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group.
Example:
NONSTANDARD: Jupiter is larger than any planet in the solar system. [Jupiter is one of the planets in the solar system and cannot be larger than itself]
A double comparison is the use of both -er and more (or less) or both -est and most (or least) to form a degree of comparison.
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: The Asian elephant is more smaller than the African elephant.
STANDARD: The Asian elephant is smaller than the African elephant.
STANDARD: Jupiter is larger than any other planet in the solar system.
Double Negative
Example:
NONSTANDARD: We don't have no extra chairs.
STANDARD: We have no extra chairs.
STANDARD: We don't have any extra chairs.
Placement of Modifiers: Misplaced Modifier
A modifier that seems to modify the wrong word in a sentence is called a misplaced modifier.
Examples:
MISPLACED: My aunt has almost seen all of the documentaries directed by Camille Billops.
CORRECT: My aunt has seen almost all of the documentaries directed by Camille Billops.
Placement of Modifiers: Dangling Modifer
Example:
DANGLING: While vacationing in Mexico, snorkeling in the bay was the most fun.
CORRECT: While vacationing in Mexico, we had the most fun snorkeling in the bay.
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase used as an adjective should generally be placed directly after the word it modifies.
Example:
MISPLACED: This book describes Nat Turner's struggle for freedom by Judith Berry Griffin.
CORRECT: This book by Judith Berry Griffin describes Nat Turner's struggle for freedom.
A prepositional phrase used as an adverb should be placed near the word it modifies.
Example:
MISPLACED: Spanish explorers discovered gold along the river that runs near my house during the 1500s. [Did the river run near my house during the 1500s?]
CORRECT: During the 1500s, Spanish explorers discovered gold along the river that now runs near my house.
CORRECT: Spanish explorers discovered gold during the 1500s along the river that now runs near my house.
Avoid placing a prepositional phrase in a position where it can modify either of two words.
Example:
MISPLACED: Emily said before sunset it might get colder. [Does the phrase modify said or might get?]
CORRECT: Emily said it might get colder before sunset. [The phrase modifies might get]
CORRECT: Before sunset Emily said it might get colder. [The phrase modifies said]
Chapter 12: A Glossary of Usage
About the Glossary
The label nonstandard identifies usage that is suitable only in the most casual speaking situations and in writing that attempts to re-create casual speech.
Standard English is language that is grammatically correct and appropriate in formal and informal situations.
Formal identifies usage that is appropriate in serious speaking and writing situations.
The label informal indicates standard usage common in conversation and in everyday writing such as personal letters.
Example:
Formal: angry
Informal: steamed
A, An
Examples:
He dis not consider himself a hero.
Market Avenue is a one-way street.
An oryx is a large antelope.
We waited in line for an hour.
Accept, Except
Examples:
I accept your apology.
Children were excepted from the admission fee.
Mark has told all his friends except Trenell.
Affect, Effect
Examples:
The bad punt did not affect the outcome of the game.
The government's reforms effected great changes.
Read more about the effects of pollution.
All Ready, Already
Examples:
The mechanic checked the engine parts to make sure they were all ready for assembly.
We have already served the refreshments.
All Right
Examples:
Linda fell off the horse, but she is all right. [adjective]
Your work is all right. [adjective}
You did all right at the track meet. [adverb]
A Lot
Example:
Her family donated a lot of money to the Red Cross.
Anyways, anywheres everywheres, nowheres, somewheres
Example: I did not go anywhere [not anywheres] yesterday.
At
Example:
NONSTANDARD: Where is your saxophone at?
STANDARD: Where is your saxophone?
Bad, Badly
Examples:
The fish smells bad. [Bad modifies the noun fish]
The parrot recited the poem badly. [Badly modifies the verb recited]
Between, Among
Example:
In homeroom, Carlos sits between Bob and me.
Use among when referring to a group rather than to separate individuals.
Example:
We saved ten dollars among the three of us.
Bring, Take
Examples:
Bring your skateboard when you come to my house this weekend.
Please take these letters with you to the post office when you go.
Bust, Busted
Examples:
The bubbles burst [not busted] when they touched the ceiling.
The officer arrested [not busted] the thief.
Could Of
Example:
Reva could have [not could of] played the piano.
Doesn't, Don't
Examples:
He doesn't [not don't] know how to swim.
The price doesn't [not don't] include this.
Fewer, Less
Examples:
Do fewer plants grow in the tundra than in the desert?
Do desert plants require less water?
Good, Well
NONSTANDARD: Nancy sang good at the audition.
STANDARD: Nancy sang well at the audition.
Examples:
I felt good [happy] when I got and A on my report.
Chris stayed home because he did not feel well [healthy] yesterday.
Had Ought, hadn't ought
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: Eric had ought to help us; he hadn't ought to have missed our meeting yesterday.
STANDARD: Eric ought to help us; he oughtn't to have missed the meeting yesterday.
Hardly, Scarcely
Examples:
I can [not can't] hardly read your handwriting.
We had [not hadn't] scarcely enough food.
He, She, It, They
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: Annika Sorenstam she is my favorite golfer.
STANDARD:: Annika Sorenstam is my favorite golfer.
Hisself
Example:
Ira bought himself [not hisself] a new silk tie.
How Come
Examples:
INFORMAL: How come Nori's not here?
FORMAL: Why is Nori not her yet?
Kind, Sort, Type
Examples:
Whitney likes this kind of music.
Those kinds of math problems are easy.
Kind Of, Sort Of
Example:
INFORMAL: He seemed kind of embarrassed.
FORMAL: He seemed somewhat embarrassed.
Learn, Teach
Examples:
I am learning how to type
My father is teaching me how to type.
Leave, Let
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: Leave her go to the concert.
STANDARD: Let her go to the concert.
STANDARD: Let's leave on time for the concert.
Like, As
Example:
I looked up several words in my dictionary, as [not like] our teacher had suggested.
Like, As If, As Though
Examples:
They behaved as if [not like] they hadn't heard him.
You looked as though [not like] you knew the answer.
Of
Examples:
He quickly walked off [not off of] the stage.
She waited outside [not outside of] the school.
What is inside [not inside of} this cabinet?
Real
Examples:
INFORMAL: My mother is expecting a real important telephone call.
FORMAL: My mother is expecting a very important telephone call.
Reason . . . Because
Examples:
INFORMAL: The reason I did well on the test was because I had studied hard.
FORMAL: The reason I did well on the test was that I had studied hard.
Sit, Set
Some, Somewhat
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: My fever has gone down some.
STANDARD: My fever has gone down somewhat.
Than, Then
Examples:
Great Danes are larger than Dobermans are.
I finished my reading. Then I wrote some letters.
Their, There, They're
Examples:
Their team won the game.
We are planning to go there during spring vacation.
They're the best players on the team.
Theirself, Theirselves
Example:
They cooked themselves a special dinner.
Them
Example:
Please put those cans in the recycling bin.
This There, That There
Example:
Do you like this shirt or that one?
Try and
Example:
INFORMAL: Try and be on time for the party.
FORMAL: Try to be on time for the party.
When, Where
Example;
NONSTANDARD: An infomercial is where a TV program is actually a long advertisement.
STANDARD: An infomercial is a TV program that is actually a long advertisement.
Who, Which, That
Examples:
Kim is the only one who got the right answer.
My bike, which has ten speeds, is for sale.
He is the one person that can help you.
This is the ring that I want to buy.
Who's, Whose
Examples:
I wonder who's keeping score.
Who's been using my computer?
Do you know whose baseball glove this is?
Whose is this?
Without, Unless
Example:
My mother said that I can't go to the game unless I finish my homework first.
Your, You're
Examples:
Your dinner is on the table.
You're one of my closest friends.