Word Mix-ups

Some words are used in the wrong way but are easy to fix. The most common are homophones, i.e. a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning

Its vs. It's

To choose the correct form, say the sentence using it is rather than its. If it sounds wrong, it probably is.

It's is a contraction for it is or it has. <it's not in the driveway>

Its is a possessive pronoun. <the car lost its wheel>

“it’s it is when it’s it’s and it’s its when it’s not”

There vs. Their vs. They're

Their is a plural possessive pronoun. More than one person and it possesses something: use their. <give me their boxes>

They're is a contraction for "they are". <they are the life of the party>

There is a place. <there is no place like home>

Lose vs. Loose

I see this one a *lot*.

Loose means not tight <loose connection>

Lose means you did not win <lose a game> or not keeping up <lose weight>.

Affect vs. Effect

Affect is a verb meaning "to influence" <weather does not affect indoor activities>

Effect is a noun meaning "to bring about". <the el nino effect causes weather changes>

Affect can be a noun and effect can be a verb but the use is limited.

“effect” can be used as a verb in limited cases (”to effect a change” means to cause it to occur completely).

Likewise “affect” can be used as a noun in certain circumstances: e.g., “He handed me the bill without trace of affect” (that is, without any emotions).

To vs. Too

“I gave that orange to my brother.”
“He said, “Do you want one too?”

Irregardless vs. irrespective or regardless

Sorry. Irregardless is not a word. The correct word to use is irrespective.

Your vs. You're

You're is a contraction for you are. <you're single>

Your, a possessive pronoun, means of or relating to you or yourself or yourselves especially as possessor or possessors <your bodies>, agent or agents <your contributions>, or object or objects of an action <your discharge>.