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How do I know which word to use? Finding errors with tricky word pairs and double negatives Developed by Jessica Walters What will I do and why does it matter? I will be able to identify double negatives in writing examples and correct them. I will be able to identify errors with common word pairs (ex. principle/principal) and correct them. Why does this matter? Our writing should always be as clear as possible so that our audience can focus on what we are trying to tell them, NOT on the mistakes that we make. Let’s think… Brainstorm as many negative words as you can… • • • • • • • • • • No None No one Nobody Never Neither Hardly Scarcely Barely Any contraction with no as a part (doesn’t , isn’t) Double Negatives What’s wrong with the following sentence?: I can’t get no soda from the store. It contains a double negative, which happen when two negatives are used in the same sentence. How do we fix them? Change the second negative into a positive word (any is a good choice). Change the word order OR the wording (if it keeps the meaning). I can’t get any soda from the store. I couldn't get soda from the store. The store had no soda. Practice with a Partner… Write each of the sentences. Underline the words that are part of the double negatives (if there are any). 1. Allie couldn’t go to the store. 2. Daniel don’t have no homework today. 3. I don’t want nothing from the drive through. 4. There wasn’t hardly any candy left for the trick-or-treaters. 5. The taxi driver didn’t get no passengers yesterday. Challenge: Work to correct each of the incorrect sentences. Confusing Word Pairs The ones we confuse all the time! Their/There/They’re They’re There Their Possessive pronoun Demonstrative adjective Apostrophe=contraction Use to show ownership Shows location “they are” I am going to their house for lunch. There- “Here,” another location word, is in this one. Test it in a sentence There is my watch! I left it on the table. If you write “they’re,” ask yourself if “they are” would fit in its place. They’re gong to the mall later. They are going to the mall later. Let’s Practice! Write the correct their, there, they’re on your paper 1. The girls went to THEIR grandmother’s house. 2. THEY’RE excited to visit with her. 3. While THERE, they will play board games. 4. When they have finished, they will eat THEIR lunches. 5. Then THEIR grandmother will bring them to THEIR house. 6. THERE they will watch THEIR television. To/Too/Two Either helps out prepositions (location words) or infinitive verbs I walked to the store. I hate to talk in class. Two Too To Means “an excessive amount” or “also” Try replacing “too” in the sentence with “also” to see if you have used the right form. I ate too much food at dinner. My sister did, too. Number amount Two girls are in the bathroom. I have two dollars in my pocket. Let’s Practice! Use the correct to, too, or two in each sentence. 1. I need TWO sheets of loose leaf for my homework. 2. Are you going TO the dance? 3. Shawn used TOO much glue on his project. 4. I have Reading, Science, and Math homework TOO! 5. She ate TWO apples at lunch. Its and It’s Its Possessive pronoun (rememberpronouns NEVER use apostrophes) Break the contraction apart. If it doesn’t make sense, get rid of it: It’s “It is” contraction (remembercontractions ALWAYS use apostrophes) Test the contraction! It’s hair is long. It’s raining out. It is hair is long. It is raining out. Get rid of the contraction!! Correct form! Here’s a good example: The dog wagged its tail. Sit and Set Sit “To sit” is an intransitive verb- it can’t receive a direct object. “I sit the book down” doesn’t work. Sit/sat/sitting/any other form of the verb can be thought of as best being used to describe a person or animal’s physical motion. A book, cup, chair, etc. can’t “sit.” They are placed. Set “To set” is a transitive verb- it can receive a direct object. “I set the book down” does work. Set and any of its verb forms can be thought of as best used to describe what you do to an object ( you can place them somewhere). Books, cups, chairs, etc. can be placed. You don’t place your self in a chair- you do the physical motion. Lie and Lay Lie Lay “To Lie” is an intransitive verb- no direction object. “To lay” is a transitive verb- it does have a direct object. This is another one that only applies to humans/animals. This is one that applies to things. Think of sleeping- if it can sleep, it can lie. If it can’t sleep, it can’t lie. Verb forms include: lie, lay (don’t confuse this with the next form!), lying, lain). Think of putting something downif it can be placed, it will lay. Verb forms include: lay, laid, laying. Let’s Practice! Its/It’s; Sit/Set; Lie/Lay 1. I am going to go LIE down for a nap. 2. The cat was licking ITS fur. 3. SET the plates on the table, please. 4. IT’S going to snow tomorrow. 5. Mom SET the packages on the floor. 6. Please LAY the picnic blanket out. Affect and Effect Affect Usually a verb (it causes something to happen) It means “to have an influence on” or “to produce a change in someone or something.” Drugs can negatively affect your body. Effect Drugs can change your brain patterns. Try using “influence” or “change” in the sentence to see if the meaning stays the same. Usually a noun (it is what has happened as a result of some other action. It means “a result” or “the way something acts upon another thing.” Usually follows some type of adjective (an, a, or other descriptive words). The effect of studying can be better grades. Meaning still holds if you put “result” in the place of meaning. What effect did the oil spill have on the environment? How did the oil spill act upon the environment? May and Can May Deals with being given authority or permission. “May I go to the bathroom?” really means “Do I have your permission to go to the bathroom?” Can Has to do with ability or capability. “Can I go to the bathroom?” really means “Do I have the ability to go to the bathroom?” Be careful- this is one that we really goof up with on a regular basis. It is important to get it right when writing with an academic or formal voice! Let’s Practice! Affect/Effect; May/Can 1. CAN you come to my birthday party? 2. Yes, you MAY have a cookie for dessert. 3. A bad day for the stock market can have a negative EFFECT on the economy. 4. Not getting enough sleep with AFFECT your academic ability the next day. 5. Rising ocean levels will EFFECT coastal communities. 6. “She MAY go to the dance with her friends,” said Mom. Some other common confusions… Leave/Let Teach/Learn Principle/Principal Leave: “go away from” or “put someplace” I will leave at the end of the day. Teach: “to explain or demonstrate knowledge” (think of giving) Ana will teach us how to dance. Principle: “basic truth, rule, or most important in a list” Gravity is a principle of science. Let: “to permit or allow” He will let me go to the store later. Learn: “to acquire a new skill or understanding” (think of gaining) I can’t wait to learn a new step from her. Principal: “administrator or sum of money” My principal is funny. I invested the principal in the stock market. Let’s Practice! Leave/Let; Teach/Learn; Principle/Principal 1. Gabe is going to TEACH the new math lesson to his classmates. 2. Honesty is an important PRINCIPLE in my family. 3. I am going to LET the cookies bake a little longer. 4. She will LEAVE the dog in the yard. 5. Will you be able to LEARN the song by December? 6. The PRINCIPAL is in meetings today.