Common Grammar Pitfalls and Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing the lecture’s main grammar terms and usage rules.

Then

An adverb related to time or sequence, as in “First I brushed my teeth, then I took a shower.”

Than

A conjunction used for comparison, e.g., “Organic eggs cost more than factory-farm eggs.”

Affect (verb)

To influence or act upon something (e.g., “How did the drought affect your corn harvest?”).

Effect (noun)

The result, outcome, or consequence of an action, as in “What are the effects of pesticide use?”

Homonym

A general term for words that are either homophones or homographs—words that share spelling or pronunciation but differ in meaning.

Homophone

Words that sound alike but have different meanings/spellings (pair/pear; which/witch).

Homograph

Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and may be pronounced the same or differently (tear/tear; lie/lie).

Apostrophe—Singular Possession

Formed by adding ’s to a singular noun (Terry’s hat, the monster’s teeth).

Apostrophe—Plural Possession

Formed by adding an apostrophe after the final s of a plural noun (sailors’ jackets, brothers’ vacation).

Possessive Pronoun

Words like my, your, his, her, our, their that indicate ownership and never take an apostrophe.

Indefinite Pronoun (singular use)

Pronouns such as anybody, someone, each, which are treated as singular (e.g., “Somebody’s cat…”).

Contraction

A shortened form of two words with an apostrophe marking omitted letters (it’s, don’t); improves conversational flow but must be used correctly.