spelling Archives | The EditoRat

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The English language

Is it their or there? – How to spell those little homophones

Are you a learner of the English language? Do you ever get confused about how to spell words like there or their and your or you’re and its or it’s? If you do, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. Many learners and even many native speakers have trouble telling these words apart. They are so-called homophones: They sound the same, but are spelled differently.

But there are a few tricks which can help you remember once and for all which is which, so that you will never get them wrong again.

By Die Lektoratte, 3 years10 August, 2021 ago

The English language

Do I Have to Capitalize It? Title case explained

When reading an American newspaper, you may have noticed that in headlines most words are capitalized, which is called “title case”. You are far less likely, however, to find title case when reading a British newspaper, as they generally prefer “sentence case”. What are the pros and cons of title case and how do you use it?

By Die Lektoratte, 3 years25 May, 2021 ago

The English language

Should we go further or farther?

I recently used the word “further” in a WhatsApp conversation with my brother and was promptly corrected by him: “It’s farther left!” D’oh! Done it again!

Of course, in theory, I know the difference. But sometimes I just have a slip of the tongue – or finger, in this case. And I’ll bet you’ve had the same problem, too.

By Die Lektoratte, 3 years25 March, 2021 ago