English Language Arts
Grade 10
15 min
Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions
Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between common homophones such as 'its/it's,' 'your/you're,' 'their/they're/there,' and 'whose/who's.'
Analyze complex sentences to determine the correct usage of possessive pronouns versus contractions.
Correct sentences containing errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions, articulating the grammatical reasoning for each correction.
Apply the correct usage of these words in their own original, complex sentences appropriate for academic writing.
Evaluate passages from world literature for correct and incorrect usage of these words, discussing the potential impact on meaning and authorial credibility.
Articulate the specific grammatical rules governing the use of posses...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PronounA word that takes the place of a noun or noun phrase.In the sentence, 'The researcher published her findings,' the word 'her' is a pronoun that takes the place of the researcher's name.
Possessive PronounA pronoun that indicates ownership or possession. These words (its, your, their, whose) never use an apostrophe.The novel lost *its* cover. (The cover belongs to the novel.)
ContractionA shortened form of a word or group of words, where an apostrophe replaces the omitted letters.*It's* a fascinating book. ('It's' is a contraction of 'it is'.)
HomophoneWords that are pronounced the same but have different meanings, origins, or spellings.*There*, *their*, and *they're* are homophones that are frequently...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Contraction Expansion Test
If a word has an apostrophe, try expanding it into its two original words (e.g., it's → it is; you're → you are; they're → they are; who's → who is).
Use this test to verify if a contraction is the correct choice. If the expanded version makes grammatical sense in the sentence, the contraction is correct. If it doesn't, you likely need the possessive pronoun.
The Possessive Pronoun Rule
Possessive pronouns (its, your, their, whose) show ownership and never use an apostrophe.
These words answer the question 'Whose is it?'. Unlike possessive nouns (e.g., 'the student's book'), these specific pronouns have possession built-in and do not require an apostrophe.
The 'There/Their/They're&...
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Challenging
A translation of Franz Kafka's *The Metamorphosis* reads: 'As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. It's new body was a source of confusion.' How does the error in the second sentence impact the authorial credibility of the translation?
A.It has no impact, as the meaning is still clear.
B.It enhances the sense of confusion Gregor is feeling.
C.It undermines the professionalism and authority of the translation, making the reader question its accuracy.
D.It correctly uses 'It's' to mean 'It has a new body'.
Challenging
Which sentence is grammatically flawless and most suitable for a formal research paper abstract?
A.Their is evidence to suggest that the policy, in it's current form, is ineffective; they're going to need a new approach.
B.There is evidence to suggest that the policy, in its current form, is ineffective; they're going to need a new approach.
C.There is evidence to suggest that the policy, in its current form, is ineffective; a new approach will be necessary.
D.There is evidence to suggest that the policy, in it's current form, is ineffective; their going to need a new approach.
Challenging
Select the option that correctly revises all errors in the sentence: 'Who's lab equipment is this, and why is it over their when they're supposed to be setting up there experiment?'
A.Whose lab equipment is this, and why is it over there when they're supposed to be setting up their experiment?
B.Who's lab equipment is this, and why is it over there when their supposed to be setting up they're experiment?
C.Whose lab equipment is this, and why is it over their when they're supposed to be setting up there experiment?
D.Whose lab equipment is this, and why is it over there when their supposed to be setting up there experiment?
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Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions
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