1. Loose for lose
* No: I always loose the product key.
* Yes: I always lose the product key.
2. It’s for its (or god forbid, its’)
* No: Download the HTA, along with it’s readme file.
* Yes: Download the HTA, along with its readme file.
* No: The laptop is overheating and its making that funny noise again.
* Yes: The laptop is overheating and it’s making that funny noise again.
3. They’re for their for there
* No: The managers are in they’re weekly planning meeting.
* Yes: The managers are in their weekly planning meeting.
* No: The techs have to check there cell phones at the door, and their not happy about it.
* Yes: The techs have to check their cell phones at the door, and they’re not happy about it.
4. i.e. for e.g.
* No: Use an anti-spyware program (i.e., AdAware).
* Yes: Use an anti-spyware program (e.g., AdAware).
* Note: The term i.e. means “that is”; e.g. means “for example.” And a comma follows both of them.
5. Effect for affect
* No: The outage shouldn’t effect any users during work hours.
* Yes: The outage shouldn’t affect any users during work hours.
* Yes: The outage shouldn’t have any effect on users.
* Yes: We will effect several changes during the downtime.
* Note: Impact is not a verb. Purists, at least, beg you to use affect instead:
* No: The outage shouldn’t impact any users during work hours.
* Yes: The outage shouldn’t affect any users during work hours.
* Yes: The outage should have no impact on users during work hours.
6. You’re for your
* No: Remember to defrag you’re machine on a regular basis.
* Yes: Remember to defrag your machine on a regular basis.
* No: Your right about the changes.
* Yes: You’re right about the changes.
7. Different than for different from
* No: This setup is different than the one at the main office.
* Yes: This setup is different from the one at the main office.
* Yes: This setup is better than the one at the main office.
* 8. Lay for lie
* No: I got dizzy and had to lay down.
* Yes: I got dizzy and had to lie down.
* Yes: Just lay those books over there.
9. Then for than
* No: The accounting department had more problems then we did.
* Yes: The accounting department had more problems than we did. Note: Here’s a sub-peeve. When a sentence construction begins with If, you don’t need a then. Then is implicit, so it’s superfluous and wordy:
* No: If you can’t get Windows to boot, then you’ll need to call Ted.
* Yes: If you can’t get Windows to boot, you’ll need to call Ted.
10. Could of, would of for could have, would have
* No: I could of installed that app by mistake.
* Yes: I could have installed that app by mistake.
* No: I would of sent you a meeting notice, but you were out of town.
* Yes: I would have sent you a meeting notice, but you were out of town.
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