As college students, we write a lot. We complete papers for class, update our social media profiles regularly and write cover letters for potential jobs. Technology has come a long way and spell check is helpful and all, but some of us are lacking in an important area: grammar. Grammar mistakes can make you appear to be illiterate or lazy, even if you really are intelligent. Although we probably should've learned some of these rules in elementary school, here's a little referesher.
1. You're vs. Your
You're is a contraction meaning "you are." You're a college student.
Your is possessive. If your grammar is poor, you should keep reading.
2. It's vs. Its
It's is a contraction of "it is." It's Sigma Kappa's 141st anniversary in a couple months.
Its is possessive. Sigma Kappa celebrates its Founder's Day on November 9.
3. They're vs. Their vs. There
They're is a contraction of "they are." They're Netflix and chilling.
Their is possessive. Their door has been locked for a couple of hours now.
There is a place. I strongly advise that you not go in there.
4. Should've/Could've/Would've
These three words typically sound correct out loud, but when it comes to spelling them, many people write them with an "of" at the end, like "should of." They're contractions for should have, could have and would have, so make sure you spell them as such.
5. Affect vs. Effect
Affect is a verb. Use it when you're discussing the act of changing. I hope that bar hopping tonight won't affect my grade tomorrow.
Effect is (usually) a noun. Use it to talk about the change itself. The effect of my hangover on my test was awful.
6. "Alot"
Alot is actually not a real word, and it should never be used. Instead, use "a lot" to talk about the quantity of something and "allot" to talk about how much money or time you've set aside for something.
7. Then vs. Than
Use then to describe something in chronological order. First I went to my 8 a.m. class, then I took a three hour nap.
Use than to compare things. Your grade in that class is way better than mine.
8. Who's vs. Whose
Who's is a contraction of "who is." Who's your date to the mixer?
Whose is possessive. Whose drink is this?
9. Me vs. I
A good rule to help you differentiate between me and I is to see if the sentence still makes sense without the other subject you're planning to use with it. For example: "Can you send your study guide to Hannah and I?" If you take out "Hannah", "Can you send your study guide to I?" clearly doesn't make sense, so you'll know you should use me instead.
10. Too vs. To vs. Two
Too is an adverb with a meaning similar to "excessively," "also" or "very." I always get way too much homework in my sociology class.
To is a preposition. I'm going to drop that class to save my GPA.
Two is a number. The deadline to drop classes is in two days.
