Introduction

As an author of reviews and/or guides and a seller, using proper grammar and correct spelling is of the utmost importance. I read somewhere that the English language is the most difficult to learn, because of the many exceptions to rules and variations in spellings and seemingly strange grammar rules. I believe it. Hopefully this guide will clear up many common grammar and spelling issues that I have seen while shopping for auction items and while reading reviews and guides.

Words/Phrases that aren’t really words:

Towards – this should be toward
Another words - this should be In other words
Forwards – this should be forward
Firstly – this should be first
Secondly – this should be second
Lastly – this should be last
Anyways - just use anyway
Definately - Nope, it's definitely with an "i" and not an "a" in the middle
Alright - this should be all right
Nevermind - this should be never mind (two words)
Alot – this is actually two words and should be written as a lot

Common Grammar Mistakes:

It's vs. its - It's is the contracted from of it is (It's wrong to cheat) and its is possessive (The dog takes its bone)

There vs. their vs. they're - An easy way to remember this is that there somehow relates to places (The pizza is over there), their relates to having something (It was their pizza), and they're is the contraction of they are (they're eating their pizza over there)

Lay vs. lie -  Well, chickens lay eggs and we lie down!

Your vs. you're - well your is used if it is your shirt (possesive) and if you are selling, then you're selling (contraction)

too vs. to - well, when you mean also or as well, than use too

i.e. vs. e.g. - i.e. means for example and e.g. means that is  (In my humble opinion, you are better off saying "for example" or "that is" - hence, no room for error

Neither/Nor vs. Either/or - Use them in pairs just like that - Neither goes with nor and either goes with or

Who's vs. Whose -  Who's is a contraction for Who is (Who's hiding the boxes? ) or Who has (Who's been there before?). So, a good rule of thumb - if you are not contracting Who is/has, then you can use Whose

Formally vs. Formerly - Formerly means before (The Artist Formerly Known as Prince) and Formally means you are being formal. This is a common mistake on resume's when schools change names. Please don't write the school formally know as ....

 Wrapping It Up

I have by no means pointed out every grammar and spelling mistake that is often made, but hopefully I have hit upon a few of your trouble areas. Please let me know via this link if you think I missed any glaring issues: Comment on this Guide

Oh, and spell check will take care of a world of problems!