Kate Asbury Larkin is a hometown friend of Audra’s from Opelika, Alabama. Kate has a history of posting entertaining and inspiring grammar lessons on social media. Kate’s posts are witty, supremely hilarious, and educational. Lucky for us, she allowed us to publish them here.
Apart and a part
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Totally opposite meanings.
If you are included in something, a piece of a whole, you are A PART – TWO words. “I was so happy to be a part of this team.”
Apart means separated, in pieces, to NOT be a part. “It makes me sad that we’re apart.”… Read More »
Bring vs take
by Kate Asbury Larkin
For the most part…
Bring implies movement towards someone or something: “Bring a hot meal when you come over.”
Take implies movement away from someone or something: “Take your dirty dishes when you leave.”
See how easy that is?
Loss vs. lost
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Although loss and lost both deal with the same subject, they are not used in the same way.
Remember it this way: Lost and past tense both contain the letter “t.” #boom
Loss is a noun; it is the act or an instance of losing.
That was an unexpected loss.… Read More »
Quite vs. quiet
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Another one that sends me over the edge; two totally different words with very different meanings.
Quite is an adverb which (usually) means a little or a lot, but not completely.
Quiet can be an adjective a noun or a verb and it means making little or no noise.… Read More »
Definitely vs defiantly
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Mixing these up totally changes what you intended.
Definitely means in a clear and definite manner; unambiguously.
Defiantly means rebelliously; in a rebellious manner.
This is more of a spelling error and not so much a spoken one; get the spelling figured out and you’ve got this one. #thereisnoAindefiniteordefinitely… Read More »
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve
Could’ve, would’ve and should’ve are contractions of could have, would have and should have, respectively.
Never, and I do mean NEVER, should you say (or write) could of, would of or should of. I cannot think of a single time “of” would correctly follow could, would or should. Not a one.… Read More »
Passed vs. past
By Kate Asbury Larkin
Passed and past are often confused, but if you really think about it, they shouldn’t be.
Passed is the past tense (and past participial) of the verb “to pass.” “To pass” means to go forward, proceed, depart. This can mean to move forward in time, space or in action.… Read More »
First Annual
by Kate Asbury Larkin
There is no such thing as “first annual” for an inaugural event!
An event is not annual if it has not occurred in previous years. Period. End of discussion.
Not to complicate matters, but technically, the second occurrence of an event is the first annual, but who says that? #nobody… Read More »
by Kate Asbury Larkin
“Irregardless” is not a (proper) word! #wellitisbutitisnt #withoutwithoutregardsoundsstupid #dontsoundstupid #grammarlesson19… Read More »
Loose vs. lose
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Loose (adj) means something that is not tight.
Lose (v) means to not win, to misplace, or to be free of something or someone.… Read More »
Sell vs. sale
by Kate Asbury Larkin
In honor of the six yard sales I stopped by this morning, today we’ll tackle these two words, which really aren’t that hard at all; one is a noun and one is a verb.
“Sale” is a noun; it serves as an object and is not an action word.… Read More »
Y’all vs. ya’ll
by Kate Asbury Larkin
It’s y’all, y’all, not ya’ll.
Y’all is a contraction of “you all;” ya’ll is a misspelling of y’all.
The end. #oneforthesoutherngirlinme… Read More »
Yeah, yea and yay
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Yeah (yeh): A casual way to say yes.
“Yeah, I was the one who called you.”
Yea: Affirmative, as in a vote – or the 23rd Psalm.
“All in favor, say “yea.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
Yay: Expressing triumph, excitement or joy,
“Yay for football season!”… Read More »
Effect vs. affect
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Easiest way to remember is this:
Affect is a verb; effect is a noun.
Most of the time, “affect” is used as a verb meaning to influence something and “effect” is used for the something that was influenced. The difference between affect and effect is so slippery that people have started using “impact” as a verb instead.… Read More »
by Kate Asbury Larkin
Lightening vs. lightning
You can lighten something with bleach, but you cannot lightning it.
Lightening is a verb and is the opposite of darkening.
Lightning is a noun or an adjective, and refers to a bolt of light from the sky.
Lightning can lighten you up, but not in a good way.… Read More »
