Your & You're

These two words mean completely different things, so it's pretty frustrating when they are used improperly. Your is meant to be used as a possessive. Example: "I like your car." You're is a conjunction of two words, you and are, which means you are. Example: "You're being ridiculous." So, when someone is trying to say, "You are . . . " and uses "Your . . ." the whole meaning of the word changes and it does not read right.

Let's try using both of these in a few sentences to highlight their differences:
"You're going to be hungry later if you don't eat your supper now."
"If your dog continues barking, you're going to have to find a trainer for it."

To & Too

Again, two words that have completely different meanings when not used correctly. To is meant to imply action, such as going toward something. Example: "I am going to Spain next fall." Too simply means, "in addition" or "as well." For example: "Bring your friends along, too." Too can also be used to say something is excessive. Example: "This weight is too heavy." Some people would think that "two" should also be placed in this section, but I would hope we all recognize(without explanation!) that this is the spelling of a number and should never be mistaken/confused with to and too.

Let's try using both of these in a few sentences to highlight their differences:
"I'm going to Spain next fall, too!"
"I was carrying the same books, too, but then they got too heavy."

There, Their, & They're

More words that carry totally unique meanings when spelled out, despite sounding the same. There denotes a place. Example: "I want to go there." Their is a possessive, meaning it should be used when referring to ownership of an object. Example: "Their house is very nice." They're is a conjunction of they and are meaning they are. Example: "They are going to be angry when they see the house like this."

Let's try using all three of these in a sentences to highlight their differences:
"They're not going to want to move there once they discover the apartment won't allow them to keep their dog."

I hope this article has helped show why some words just should not be mis-spelled. This is because different spellings of certain words make the word unique and therefore spellings must not be interchanged with one another. Please keep these examples in mind the next time you are writing.

For more information on grammar related issues, visit www.DailyGrammar.com