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January 27, 2006

3 Simple Grammar Rules for Bloggers

While I'd agree that good ideas trump good grammar, there's a whole bunch of very smart bloggers out there who consistently look like grade school dropouts due to their misunderstanding of some very basic grammar rules.

It's vs. its
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It's means "it is". The only time you say "it's" is when you're looking for a shorter way to say "it is" (or "it has"), If you want to say something belongs to "it", then use "its".

For example: "It's sad no one understands contractions, but even the blogosphere has its short bus."

You're vs. your
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You're means "you are". If you're looking for a shorter way to say "you are", use "you're". If you're telling someone something belongs to them, use "your".

For example: "You're a smart guy, but your grammar makes you look like an idiot."


They're vs. there vs. their
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They're means "they are". There has a lot of meanings, but basically means "in that place." If you want to indicate something belongs to "them", use their.

For example: "There are many very smart bloggers out there, it's too bad their grammar makes them look like they're mildly retarded."

Good writing flows along effortlessly, almost making the reader forget that they're reading. Simple grammar speed bumps jar the reader out of that flow, making it harder to absorb your ideas, or worse, making them question the quality of those ideas.

Of course, it's the quality of the ideas and personality of the writer that really make for a great blog, but why have your readers reaching for the red teacher's pen when you can soothe them with some sweet, smooth grammatically correct prose.


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