Quick tips

This page sets out some basic rules that can be common stumbling blocks for a lot of people. The goal here is to provide a quick reference for some basic rules. The below should be seen as rules of thumb, they do not explore every possible scenario. For a detailed enquiry please use the contact page, otherwise this is a good place to start. The 'useful links' page on this website can point you to more comprehensive sources.

Apostrophes

The rules on apostrophes in English are different to some other languages - for example you do not need an apostrophe for the plural. Apostrophes are predominantly used for one of two purposes:

1. To indicate ownership of something.

2. As a contraction of two words. 

Example 1

The sentence: That scarf belongs to Sonia.

Can be written: That is Sonia's scarf.

In this case the apostrophe is used to denote ownership of the scarf. One note to mention here, if the word before the apostrophe ends with the letter "s", you do not need to add another "s" after the apostrophe. It is correct to write: That is James' scarf. It is not necessary to write: That is James's scarf.

Example 2

The sentence: That is a good idea.

Can be written: That's a good idea.

In this case the apostrophe is used to combine the words "that" and "is". Similarly: do not can be written as don't, who is can be written as who's and I have can be written as I've. Note that if you are ever in doubt about how to use the apostrophe to combine words, you can always avoid it by writing the sentence out in full. This is often a good idea in formal writing anyway.

Incorrect use

As mentioned at the top of this section, you do not need an apostrophe to denote a plural.

The sentence: I have more than one bean.

Can not be written: I have many bean's. 

Its and it's

The only time you ever write it's is as a contraction of it is. This is the same rule outlined in example 2 above. The word its, when used to relate one thing to another, is written without an apostrophe.

It is correct to write: A chameleon can change its skin colour.

This may seem counter-intuitive based on the fact that we use apostrophes to imply ownership. A tip that might help in a practical sense is to remember that you are never obligated to write the contraction it's - because you always have the option of writing it is. If the sentence does not make sense when you substitute it's for it is, you should be using the word its.

For example, consider the sentence: A leopard cannot change its spots.

The above sentence is correct, we can check this because it would be nonsensical to write: A leopard cannot change it is spots. Therefore, we know that the word its - without an apostrophe - has been used correctly.

The following sentence is also correct: It's dark at night.

We can check this because it makes perfect sense to write: It is dark at night.

Capital letters

The rules on capital letters in English are mercifully simple. There are two occasions where you need to use a capital letter.

1. The first word in a sentence.

2. For proper nouns - these are the names of people, countries, cities etc. 

Keep in mind

In a formal letter or even an email, it is common address the recipient by name followed by a comma, with the body of the text on the following line. In such a case, the first sentence on the second line would still begin with a capital letter. For example, it is correct to write:

Dear Sarah,

Please find attached the minutes from yesterday's team meeting.

Kind regards,

Derek.

Note that the word please begins with a capital letter even though it follows a comma rather than a full stop.

Your and you're

This is not really a grammar issue, but many people confuse these words because they sound the same when spoken aloud. The rules are straightforward: 

1. The word your implies ownership.

2. The contraction you're just means you are.

Example 1

The sentence: This coat belongs to you.

Can be written: This is your coat.

Example 2

The sentence: I hope you are well.

Can be written: I hope you're well.

Note that you are never obligated to use the contraction you're because there is always the option of writing you are. 

Their, there and they're

This is another one that throws people because the words sound the same when spoken - even though they all mean different things.

1. The word their implies ownership.

2. The word there implies a location.

3. The contraction they're is short for "they are".

Examples

The following sentences are all correct:

1. Mum and Dad make the rules because it's their house.

2. Can you see the road sign over there?

3. At last, John and Jane are here - they're always late!

You are never obligated to use the contraction they're - because you always have the option of writing they are.

Too, two and to

This is another example of words that people confuse because they sound the same. Again, the meaning of each one is different.

1. Too is a word that means "also" or "as well".

2. Two is the word representing the number "2".

3. To is a particle that can be used in many contexts but generally links things together in some way.

Examples                                 

The following sentences are all correct.

1. My boss owns a Bentley, I want one too.

2. A chess match is contested between two players.

3. We are going to the restaurant now.