A Lesson In Grammar

Today's lesson will be on the use of contractions vs. pronouns. Recently, I saw an English teacher use the wrong word in the right place. So, what was it? The wrong word. (Learned that lesson from Mr. Slaughter. Learned lots in band!)

So, let's have a lesson on when to use a contraction and when to use its homophone, a word that sounds the same, but means something totally different.

Example: Their and They're. While they sound alike (actually if you say them correctly, they do sound different) they are two totally different words that have way different meanings. Let me define for you:

their: p possesive form of they, meaning
belonging to them, having to do with them. It is theirs.

they're: they are. They're going to the store.

See, totally different. The teacher meant to use they're but used their. How does an English teacher get that wrong?

Another example: Your and You're

your: of or belonging to you. That is your bicycle.

you're: you are. You're invited to a party!

Just got an invitation with this spelled incorrect. I just don't get it. Is it that hard?

How does a grown person who has finished school and has even finished college get this wrong? I know I am a little crazy about proper English and spelling words correctly, but what is wrong with that? I am trying to teach my children, because it is obvious that even the teachers do not grasp the concept of grammar. If we cannot even trust that the teachers know the proper way to teach the children, how do we know they are learning?