Name:
Per:
Common Grammar Errors
Homonyms: words with same pronunciation, but different meanings/spellings.
affect: (v.)to influence
ex. How did that sad movie affect you?
its: (possessive) belonging to it
ex. Its hairy arms reached out to grab us.
insure: to safeguard against loss
ex. I made sure to insure my car in case I
wreck it.
weather: conditions outside
ex. What is the weather like outside?
effect: (n.) a consequence
ex. What effect did the rain have on the
crops?
it’s: (contraction) it is or it has
ex. It’s going to be a very long ride home.
ensure: to make sure, guarantee
ex. I will ensure that I do my homework.
your: (possessive) belonging to you
ex. Your coat is in the closet.
whether: indicates alternative or doubt
ex. They don’t know whether to go to the
movies or the dance.
you’re: (contraction) you are
ex. You’re always on time.
complement: to make whole or complete
ex. That scarf complements your outfit nicely.
compliment: to express praise or respect
ex. I complimented her on her success.
loose: free; not close together
ex. Put all your loose papers in a folder.
lose: to suffer loss of
ex. Don’t lose your tickets.
all ready: all prepared
ex. We were all ready to leave.
already: previously
ex. We already saw that movie.
quiet: silent, still
ex. The library is a quiet place to study.
quite: completely, rather, very
ex. Are you quite sure this the right path.
whose: (possessive) belonging to whom
ex. Whose book is this?
who’s: (contraction) who is
ex. Who’s there?
than: used for comparisons
ex. English is a better subject than math.
then: at that time
ex. We swam then we ate dinner
their: belonging to them
ex. Their house is awesome.
there: at that place
ex. We should go there later.
they’re: they are
ex. They’re leaving later today.
to: preposition
ex. He started to whistle.
too: also, more than enough
ex. They are too young.
two: the number
ex. There are two of them here.
Instructions: In each sentence below write which homonym should be used.
1. Does driving too much (effect/affect) the environment.
_____________________________
2. I don’t know (weather/whether) or not we will go.
_____________________________
3. Lebron James is better (than/then) Michael Jordan.
_____________________________
4. We’re (all ready/already) to go on our trip this week.
____________________________
5. (Their/there/they’re) going to leave us here if you don’t hurry. _______________________
6. Shawn talks way (to, too, two) much.
_____________________________
7. I want to (insure, ensure) that you get to work on time.
_____________________________
8. Your attitude can (effect/affect) how well you do in school. _____________________________
9. Tommy went to the store, and (than/then) he went home. _____________________________
10. (It’s, Its) going to be a great a Halloween this year.
_____________________________
11. (Who’s, Whose) going to win the game on Sunday?
_____________________________
12. If you aren’t (quiet/quite) soon we’ll get in trouble.
_____________________________
13. Joan had to tighten the (lose/loose) floor board.
_____________________________
14. You should always (complement/compliment) the hostess. ____________________________
15. Do you know (who’s/whose) book this is?
____________________________
16. (Your/You’re) going to get in wreck if you don’t watch the road. ______________________
Run-on Sentences: Definition: Two or more complete sentences that are written as one.
Comma Splice: Definition: Joining two sentences with only a comma
4 Ways to Fix a Run-on
 Make a compound sentence by adding a comma and coordinating conjunction (and, but, for,
nor, or, so, or yet).
o Run-on: In photography, an aperture controls the amount of light exposing the film
a shutter controls how long the film is exposed to light.
o Revised: In photography, an aperture controls the amount of light exposing the film,
and a shutter controls how long the film is exposed to light.
 Make a compound sentence by adding a semicolon
o Run-on: A slower shutter speed allows more light to expose the film a faster shutter
speed allows less light to expose the film.
o Revised: A slower shutter speed allows more light to expose the film; a faster
shutter speed allows less light to expose the film.
 Make a compound sentence by adding a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (therefore,
instead, meanwhile, still, also, nevertheless, or however). A conjunctive adverb needs to be
followed by a comma.
o Run-on: Cameras have been greatly improved over time, controlling exposure with
the aperture and shutter has remained the same.
o Revised: Cameras have been greatly improved over time; nevertheless, controlling
exposure with the aperture and shutter has remained the same.
 Separate the run-on into two separate sentences.
o Run-on: There are very few cameras today that still use film digital cameras use
many of the same principles as cameras running on film.
o Revised: There are very few cameras today that still use film. Digital cameras use
many of the same principles as cameras running on film.
Instructions: Read the run-ons below and rewrite the sentences to make them compound
sentences.
1. Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country it is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. (Make
into 2 sentences)__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Most of the people living in Cambodia belong to the Khmer ethnic group, people belonging to
other ethnic groups also live there. (Use a semicolon and conjunctive
adverb)_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Cambodia has a famous river called the Mekong it also has a large lake called Tonle Sap. (Use a
comma and coordinating conjunction) _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. In the northwestern part of Cambodia there is an area known as Angkor it is now a popular site
for visitors to the country. (Use a semicolon) __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________