Grammar Exercise: Most Common Goofs

Words that sound the same but have different meanings:

to: preposition; the sign of the infinitive

two: a number

too: an adverb meaning “also” or “to an excessive extent”

____________________________________

then: adverb meaning “at that time”

than: conjunction showing comparison

———————————————

they’re: contraction of they are

their: possessive form of they

there: adverb meaning “at that place or point”

_____________________________________

it’s: contraction of it is

its:  possessive pronoun (note: no apostrophe)

______________________________________

you’re: contraction of you are

your: possessive pronoun
 

Highlight in yellow the correct word choices in each sentence. The first one is done as an example.

It is (to, too, two) soon to know whether either of the (to, too, two) plans will work.

After restructuring, the company (then, than) offered higher salaries (then, than) anyone expected.

(Their, There, They’re) going to put (their, there, they’re) backpacks over (their, there, they’re)  near the door.

(It’s, Its) unlikely that the company’s building and (its, it’s) contents were fully insured.

(You’re, Your) going to love (you’re, your) new office.

This computer is (to, too) expensive and (to, too) different from the one we requested.

The current financial picture and (its, it’s) projections are much better (then, than) we expected.

(There’s, Theirs) not a lot we can do about (their, there) financial situation.

(Its, It’s) easy to load apps on a smartphone and a laptop (too, to).

Both companies submitted (their, there) taxes before it was (too, to) late.

We must complete this task; (then, than) we can take a break.

Governments and hospitals used all (there, their) resources to combat the disease.

(It’s, Its) going to be interesting when you list each industry and (its, it’s) geographical region.

(They’re, There) coming this afternoon (to, too) pick up the furniture.

 
15. If we sell more (than, then) their team, we’ll (than, then) be able to claim the bonus.