Are you confused with how to use who and whom? What about lay and lie? How about raise and rise? If you are this article is for you.
Using incorrect words can be embarrassing. You use one word, but what you were supposed to use was another word that sounds very similar to the one that you did use.
Sometimes, the person you are talking to or writing to may not notice. Other times, they do notice. And when they do notice the incorrect use, they silently mock you.
So, to prevent you from getting mocked by a snobby grammar jerk, here are six (or three pairs) of the most common problematic words and how to properly use them in their various verb tenses (if the words are verbs):
How To Use Who/Whom
These two words are pronouns, and like the majority of pronoun pairs, there is one that is a subject and one that is an object.
To refresh your memory, subjects are words that come before the very first verb in a sentence. Objects are words that come after the verb in a sentence.
In the case of who and whom, “who” is the subject and “whom” is the object.
Example:
- Who attended the fantasy league draft?
- Wait! You drafted whom?
- From whom did you get that player?
For the third example, the word “whom” is being used because it is an object of a preposition (the word from is a preposition). The other two are just examples of the words being used as a subject and an object.
How To Use Lay/Lie
These two words are verbs. “Lay” means to place something down or put something somewhere. It always has a direct object (the word that receives the action).
Example:
- The basketball player lay his championship trophy on his shelf. (Side Example: In this sentence, the word trophy is the direct object because it is receiving the action, or is being “lay” down.)
- He also laid down his championship ring.
- Last season, he had laid down his MVP trophy on that very same shelf.
The word “lie” means to recline or rest. Unlike the word “lay,” it never takes an object.
Example:
- The basketball player always lies down to ice her knees after practice.
- She likes to lay down in rooms with a lot of sunlight.
- She has lain outdoors before.
How to Use Raise/Rise
The words rise and raise are also verbs. “Raise” means to lift something up, increase the amount, or to grow something. The word “raise” always takes an object.
Example:
- The young athlete wants to raise the amount of time she can run each week.
- Last week, she raised her time to 90 minutes.
- She has raised it to 2 hours before.
The word “rise” means to gain value or to ascend. It does not take an object.
Example:
- The team rises in the rankings.
- Over the last 15 games, the team rose into the top six.
- The team had risen earlier in the season by a couple of spots.
How to Use There/They’re/Their
The word “there” is an adverb that tells where an action (or verb) happens. Additionally, this word is similar to the word “here,” except one describes something that is near you and the other describes something that is far from you.
Example: Go over there and run 5 laps.
The word “they’re” is just the short form (or contraction) of “they are.”
Example: They’re (they are) going to be very tired after this practice.
“Their” is a possessive pronoun. This word shows that something (or someone) is owned by two or more people.
Example: The team left their gym bags in the locker room.
How to Use Its/It’s
Like the word “their,” “its” is also a possessive pronoun. The word is used to show that a person, place, or thing is owned by one other thing.
Example: Its traction is starting to fade after 15 games.
The word “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.”
Example: It’s (it is) going to be an amazing day!
How to Use Then/Than
The word “than” is used for comparisons or when you compare nouns (person, place, or thing).
Example: Timmy is a better basketball player than Kevin.
The word “then” is an adverb that relates to time. You use this word to tell or show what you (or somebody else) are doing after an action or activity.
Example: Kobe intercepts the pass and then attacked the basket with full force.
How to Use You’re/Your
The word “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.”
Example: Remember, you’re (you are) going to have to buy us milkshakes if you miss this shot.
“Your” is a possessive pronoun. This word is used to express someone’s ownership over something.
Example: Your sneakers are really nice!
Final Thoughts
That’s it!
Make sure you use these words correctly. And if you forget a definition or spelling of any of these, just come back to this post and review them.