How To: Write a Proper Story on Wattpad

Part Seven: Grammar

Grammmmmmmar Tiiiiiiiiiiiiime!

Oh jeez. This one's gonna be long.

I say we just start off with commonly confused words because those are the most typical errors I see authors make.

~Commonly Confused Words~

•It's vs. Its

It's: a conjugation of it is. (It's a nice day outside today.)

Its: a form of possession. Showing that the object belongs to "it." (The teacup was broken. Its handle was broken.)

•There vs. Their vs. They're

There: showing where something is. A matter of place. (The coffee shop is over there.)

Their: showing that something belongs to a group of people. (The blue beach ball is theirs.)

They're: a conjugation of they are. (They're all planning to go to the beach this Saturday morning.)

•Here vs. Hear

Here:
1) in, at, or to this place or position. (The Robinsons have lived here all their lives.)
2) used when introducing something or someone. (Here is that jacket you wanted, Jace.)

Hear:
1) perceive the sound of something with the use of your ear. (I hear someone screaming.)
2) to know the existence or presence of something. (I've never heard of that restaurant.)

•Weather vs. Whether

Weather: the state of being outside.
(The weather tomorrow is supposed to be really bad. I heard it's going to rain)

Whether: a choice between two things (You need to decide whether you want to go to the movies or to the carnival.)

•Past vs. Passed

Past: gone by in time. (In the past, I didn't care much about school.)

Passed: when you move in a specified direction. (Sarah moved passed the crowd of girls and to her locker.)

•Already vs. All ready

Already: used when wanting to exaggerate a certain short time period. (Wow, you are already ready to go? That was fast.)

All ready: showing that something or a group of people are done and prepared. (We are all ready to go for the ball.)

•A lot vs. Alot

A lot: used when referring to a large quantity of something. (I love you, a lot, Mom.)

Alot: not a word. You should never use this. Ever. Ever. Evereverever.

•You're vs. Your

You're: the conjugated form of you are (You're going to work at 6:15, right?)

Your: a form of possession in which the object belongs to you. (Could I borrow your car later? Mine is in the shop.)

•Lay vs. Lie

Lay: to put down, especially gently or carefully. ("Jess, can you lay the baby in her crib?") [Past tense: laid Present Participle: Laying]

Lie:
1) to not tell the truth.
2) a person or animal resting/reclining in a comfortable position. (I'm going to go lie down.) [Past tense: lain Present Participle: lying]

•Wear vs. Where

Wear: referring to an article of clothing that you have on. (I don't think I'm going to wear the pink blouse. The red one looks better on me.)