Mastering Commonly Confused Words

Front

What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's'?

Back

'It's' is a contraction for 'it is' or 'it has', while 'its' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership.

Front

Complete the sentence: 'The dog wagged ___ tail happily.'

Back

'The dog wagged its tail happily.' 'Its' shows possession.

Front

When do you use 'affect' vs 'effect'?

Back

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence something, while 'effect' is a noun meaning the result of a change.

Front

What does 'capital' refer to in geography?

Back

'Capital' refers to the city where a government is based, such as Rome being the capital of Italy.

Front

Explain the use of 'it's' in the sentence: 'It's raining outside.'

Back

'It's' is a contraction for 'it is', indicating the current weather.

Front

What is a mnemonic to remember 'its' vs 'it's'?

Back

Remember: 'It's' means 'it is' (think of the apostrophe as a missing letter) and 'its' shows possession.

Front

How do you use 'there', 'their', and 'they're'?

Back

'There' indicates a place, 'their' shows possession, and 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are'.

Front

What is the correct usage of 'your' and 'you're'?

Back

'Your' shows possession, while 'you're' is a contraction for 'you are'.

Front

Define 'affect' in a sentence.

Back

'Affect' means to have an influence on something, e.g., 'The weather can affect your mood.'

Front

Define 'effect' in a sentence.

Back

'Effect' is the result of a change, e.g., 'The effect of the new law was significant.'