English 11 H O’Meara
Name:________________________________________________
Commonly Confused Word Zombies
They’re
1. There
Their
There =
Location – “over there!”
Their =
Belonging to them – “their brains”
They’re =
Contraction (shortening with an apostrophe: ’ ) of “they are” – “they’re
coming!”
2. Our
Are
Our
=
Belonging to us – “our brains”
Are
=
Plural form of verb “to be” – “they are hungry!”
3. Apostrophes
’
Possessive = Belonging to someone or something – “The boy s brain”
’
Contraction= Shortening of word + “is” – “He s scared!”
NO apostrophe for plural nouns = “Brains, brains, everywhere!” [No apostrophe in
“brains”]
4. It’s
Its
It’s
=
Contraction (shortening with an apostrophe: ’) of “it is” – “It’s too late!”
Its
=
Belonging to it – “Its appetite is insatiable!”
5. Semicolons
: (colon) =
Colons
Run-on Sentences
Connects 2 clauses where the 2nd clause:
A. Is an example of the first clause
B. Is a list that the first clause sets up
C. Paraphrases (puts into different words) the first clause
D. Shows a consequence of something in the first clause
; (semicolon)= Connects two complete sentences that don’t have a special colon relationship
(2nd sentence is an example, list, paraphrase, or consequence of the 1st)
Run-on =
2 sentences connected by a comma or nothing – bad:
The zombies marched steadily toward us their vacant eyes seeped goo.
The zombies marched steadily toward us , their vacant eyes seeped goo.
English 11 H O’Meara
Not a run-on seeped goo.
Name:________________________________________________
good! The zombies marched steadily toward us ; their vacant eyes
6. Woman
women
Woman=
One adult female – “That one woman surrendered her brains!”
Women=
More than one adult female – “Those three women escaped!”
7. His
He’s
His
=
Belonging to him – “His time is over.”
He’s
=
Contraction of “he is” – “He’s a goner.”
English 11 Honors
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Commonly Confused Words
Zombie Master
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