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Specifically, it's geared toward those of you who happened to be home sick the day in second grade when the teacher explained the difference between your and you're and other various homophones. You obviously don't know who you are, or else I wouldn't be forced to go on public record with this information.
Please take note....as Ross from Friends once stated to Rachel, "Y-O-U-R means your. Y-O-U apostrophe R-E means you are!" I can't tell you how many times I've come across the incorrect versions of these words while reading various articles, social media posts and the like. It literally makes me cringe.
Now I realize not everyone is as acutely aware of grammar rules as I am, and many others are not blessed with the gift of spelling (6th grade spelling bee champ here--holla!) So please don't take offense at my schooling you on the subject. I am a writer, after all. Now before you attack me for my blunt approach, let me first say that others of us are mathematically challenged and have difficulty adding and subtracting without utilizing our fingers. (Guilty).
**On a side note, I may struggle with addition and subtraction, but by golly, I can multiply like nobody's business...and I guarantee you the only reason for that is because Dad drilled me with those damn flash cards 'til I was blue in the face and tears were shed. But it sure pays off when I'm shopping and need to calculate the 40% off sale in my head--thanks, Dad!
My point is...there are calculators for us math idiots; however, if you live in America and speak English, you SHOULD KNOW the basic spelling of everyday words and their appropriate uses. Please pay attention and feel free to take notes if you must:
In addition to the your vs. you're conundrum, there is also the concept of distinguishing between to, too and two. This is a BIG one.
Example:
I am going to the store.
I am too tired to keep my eyes open!
I have two mosquito bites on my arm.
Get it right, people. There's nothing that makes you look more ignorant than the misuse of these basic words.
Another example:
Does she live there?
Bob's Steak & Chop House is their favorite restaurant.
They're going to the mall this weekend.
I also have a problem with people who cannot seem to distinguish the difference between its and it's. I realize that an apostrophe is typically used to show possession; however, with its, the standard happens to be opposite. It's is a contraction of it is.
Final example:
The dog has a bone in its mouth.
I really hope it's not going to rain this weekend.
I realize that most people in this country read and write at a 5th-grade level. That is just plain pathetic. If you're a teacher, PLEASE for the love of God, enforce these grammar rules to the next generation, or else we're grammatically doomed. Hooked on Phonics worked for me, but I'm afraid it didn't for most others...and now they don't even teach phonics in school anymore! Ultimately, I'm just tired of reading Facebook posts that are incorrectly written. So as summer draws to an end and kiddos head back to school, please keep these grammar and spelling rules in mind. If your kids can learn them, so can you!
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This concludes the public service announcement--please don't shoot the messenger.
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