Grammar Tips
1. Use active voice instead of passive voice.
Say “The student sent the application” instead of “the application was sent by the student”). Your sentences will sound less cluttered and more direct.
2. If you start a sentence in present tense, end it in present tense.
3. Affect vs. effect
Affect = action. “The music affects my hearing.” The music is doing something. Effect = a result. “The bad singing is the effect of a sore throat.” It describes a person, place, or thing.
4. Your vs. you're
Your = possession. Your car. Your shoes. Your attitude. You’re = you are. You’re late. You’re strange. You’re funny.
5. To vs. too vs. two
To = location. To the store. To the moon. To me.
Too = also/amount. Me too. I ate too many poptarts.
Two = 2. My sister is two years old.
6. Then vs. than
Then = a time or order. We are going then. Put on your shoes, then follow me.
Than = a comparison. I am smarter than you.
7. Its vs. it's
Its = possession. My dog chased its tail. What is its name? It’s = it is. It’s cold.
8. There vs. their vs. they're
There = a place. There she goes. It’s over there.
Their = possession. Their house. Their shoes. Their attitudes.
They’re = they are. They’re mean. They’re running.
8. Contractions
Coulda/shoulda/woulda are not words. “Could of” is also wrong. Could’ve is short for “could have.” Use contractions (I’m, can’t, it’s, don’t, etc.) sparingly. It is more professional to break them into two words.
9. “A lot” is always two words. “Cannot” is always one word.