"A" vs "An" ....grammar trivia

[jesse_3]

What about there, their, and they're!?! I see those misused all the time! I know how to use them correctly, but to explain it?

[jennielynn1970]

There is used in regards to a place. "We went there too!"

Their is possessive. "The dog is theirs." "This is their dog."

They're is a contraction of They and Are. "They're our relatives."

[jennielynn1970]

How about the one I see used incorrectly all the time, which really irks the crap out of me.

Use "I" and "Me" correctly in a sentence.

I see people use "I" incorrectly all the time, because I think they think it sounds or looks like the proper way to say/write it.

If you can say "I" in the sentence without the other person being in it, and it still makes sense, then you're using "I" correctly.

My mother and I went to see the concert. I went to see the concert.

This is a picture of my mother and me. This is a picture of me.

[jennielynn1970]

I am horrible about commas (too many or not enough). Anyone have rules about using them?

[Moesha]

Here's one comma rule. If a conjunction is connecting two complete sentences, use a comma. If the phrases before or after the conjunction are not complete sentences, then you don't use a comma.

I wish that you could have gone to the movies with me, but I understand that you were sick.

The students couldn't believe how fast the summer passed and that they would be returning to school shortly.

[jennielynn1970]

What comes before and after the comma has to be a complete thought, is that what you're saying? (Did I do that right?! )

[Moesha]

Actually, if it is two complete sentences, then I think they are connected by a semi-colon. A comma is used if they are connected with a conjunction. (and, but, so) I'm only going on memory with that though. It has been a very long time since I had English classes.