Into and in to are pronounced the same, but they have different grammatical functions.
Into is a preposition used to indicate entry, insertion, collision, or transformation. It can also be used to say that someone is interested in or involved with something. Write “into” as one word when you mean it in one of these senses.
In to is a combination of two separate words: the prepositions “in” and “to.” The words should remain separate when the sense is separate. For example, in the phrase “call in to see you,” the phrasal verb “call in” is separate from the infinitive verb phrase “to see you.”
Because the prepositions despite and in spite of mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably, people sometimes mistakenly combine the words and write “despite of.” However, this is never correct.
Examples: Despite of, despite and in spite of
Despite of the tasteless humor, I enjoyed the film.
Despite the tasteless humor, I enjoyed the film.
In spite of the tasteless humor, I enjoyed the film.
The imperative mood is a verb form used to make a demand or to give advice or instructions (e.g., “slow down!”).
The imperative mood is one of three grammatical moods in English, along with the indicative mood and the subjunctive mood.
Sentences in the imperative mood imply a second-person subject (i.e., “you”), but they normally don’t actually include the word “you” or any other subject.
Among and between are two prepositions that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.
Among means “surrounded by” or “in the company of.” It’s normally followed by a plural noun.
Between refers to the space that separates two or more distinct things or to the interval that separates two or more distinct times. It’s normally followed by a series of two or more singular nouns.
Examples: Among in a sentence
Examples: Between in a sentence
The thief hid among the wandering tourists.
The coffee shop is between the post office and the bank.
Published on
February 25, 2023
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 15, 2023.
The subjunctive mood is a verb form used to refer to a hypothetical scenario or to express a wish, suggestion, or command (e.g., “I suggest you be quiet”).
The subjunctive is one of three grammatical moods in English, along with the indicative mood and the imperative mood.
There are two types of subjunctive verb forms. Verbs in the present subjunctive take the infinitive form (e.g., “be”), while verbs in the past subjunctive are identical to their simple past forms (e.g., “ran”).
Examples: Sentences in the subjunctive moodI demand that everyonehave an opportunity to speak.
Sharon insisted that she be notified of any problems.
If Jane were here, she could tell us what to do.
NoteThe subjunctive mood is less common in UK English than US English. In UK English, the modal verb “should” is often used instead of a subjunctive verb (e.g., “Sharon insisted that she should be notified of any problems”).
Published on
February 24, 2023
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 14, 2023.
Hers is a third-person singular feminine possessive pronoun.
“Her’s,” written with an apostrophe, is sometimes mistakenly used instead of hers, but this is never correct. While possession is usually indicated by adding ‘s to the end of a word, possessive pronouns don’t take an apostrophe.
Examples: Hers and her’s in a sentence
That bag is her’s, not yours.
That bag is hers, not yours.
I have my ticket for the theater, but Lisa lost her’s.
I have my ticket for the theater, but Lisa lost hers.
Published on
February 23, 2023
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 14, 2023.
Ours is a first-person plural possessive pronoun.
“Our’s,” written with an apostrophe, is sometimes used instead of ours, but this is incorrect and should be avoided. While possession is typically indicated by adding ‘s to the end of the word, possessive pronouns don’t take an apostrophe.
Published on
February 22, 2023
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 14, 2023.
Theirs is a third-person plural possessive pronoun.
“Their’s,” written with an apostrophe, is sometimes used instead of theirs. However, this is incorrect and should be avoided. While possession is usually indicated by adding ‘s to the end of a word, possessive pronouns don’t take an apostrophe.
Examples: Theirs and their’s in a sentence
I enjoyed my dessert, but Tina and Jay didn’t enjoy their’s.
I enjoyed my dessert, but Tina and Jay didn’t enjoy theirs.
