It’s easy with the speed of blogs, spell check, and online tools to dash out a quick post, a comment, or even a brochure that’s full of mistakes. Typos do happen, but sometimes a mistake can just make you look foolish (and hurt your credibility).

Here are ten of the most common English grammar mistakes and how to stop them before they stop you.

1. You’re/Your

Your refers to something that belongs to you. Use it to indicate possession of something, such as “your toothpaste” or “your shoes.”

You’re is a contraction of “you are”, a noun (you) and a verb (are).  It is usually followed by an adjective describing something about you or something you are doing, such as, “You’re tired,” or “You’re tall.”

2.  It’s/Its

It’s is a contraction of “it is,” use it to indicate an action or a description of something.  “It’s raining.”

Its indicates possession.  “The dog is chasing its tail.”  The tail belongs to the dog.

3.  Lose/Loose

Lose: indicates that something is missing.

Loose:  describes something that’s not restrained  (an animal that has gotten away, hair that has been taken out of a ponytail).

4.  Compliment/Complement

A compliment is a kind word or expression of admiration for something.  “Nice shoes”!

When one thing goes well with something else, they complement each other.  “That blue shirt complements your blue eyes.”

5. Affect/Effect

Generally, “affect” is a verb, while “effect” is a noun.

Affect changes what happens.  “The rising price of oil affects the price of food.”  Higher oil prices mean increased costs for fertilizer, storage, and transportation, so the price of food rises.

Effect is the result.  “The rising price of oil had an immediate effect on the price of food.”  The result of higher prices for oil is higher food costs.

It is also used to show the way one thing influences another.  “The effect of the new law banning smoking in public places has been to reduce the costs of health care.”

6.  Random Apostrophes

Use an apostrophe to indicate possession.  Examples are “Bob’s shoes” or “the cat’s toys.”

Don’t use them to make something plural!

7.  There/Their/They’re

“There” is a location.

“Their” is used for something that belongs to others (their house, their books).

“They’re” is a contraction of “they are.”

8. To/Too

“To” is a preposition.  “We’re going to the store.”

“Too” means also or in addition. ” I like chocolate too!”

“Two” is a number.  “My friend Bonnie has two kittens.”

9.  That/Which

This one messes me up sometimes, but I try to remember “that” is specific, and “which” is not.

That copy machine is broken.

Which machine isn’t working?

10.  Whose/Who’s

“Whose” is possessive.  “Whose bike is that”?

“Who’s” is a contraction.  “Who’s the guy riding that bike”?

Photo: ifindkarma