JBJ Class

Simple Stuff (Things you should have learned before high school)

  • 19 - Then/Than
  • 20 - Who/Whom
  • 21 - It's/Its
  • 22 - Who's/Whose​
  • 23 - Sit/Set & Raise/Rise
  • 24 - Lay/Lie
  • 25 - ​Possessives​
Picture
Feel free to split your screen like this.

 

Then/Than


Quick Tip:
If it tells when, use "then." ​
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Then" is talking about a time, just like "when."  See how they’re spelled?  
    Let's eat first and then go for a run.  [When should we go for a run?]
  • It can also be used with "if":
    If you ask nicely, then I might buy you some ice cream.  [When will you buy me some ice cream?]
  • "Than" is used to compare things:
    She’s older than I am.  [comparing her and me]
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

Who/Whom


Quick Tip:
Think about "he or him" and listen for the 'm' sound.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • If it’s a question, answer it with he or him.
    Did you see who/whom picked up my notebook?
    He picked it up. ➜ ​Did you see who picked up my notebook?
  • If it’s not a question, ignore the first half and substitute he or him in the sentence.
    I'm not sure who/whom I'm going to vote for.
    I'm going to vote for him. ➜ I'm not sure whomI'm going to vote for.
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

It's/Its


Quick Tip:
Try to say "it is" or "it has" in the blank.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "It's" has two meanings: "It is..." and "It has..."
    It's going to be a great day.  [It is going...]
    It's been fun, but I have to go.  [It has been fun...]​
  • "Its" shows that something belongs to 'it' (e.g., your dog), just like his, hers, yours, etc.  Do you see how they all end with the s sound but DON'T have an apostrophe?
    He got a new truck, and he's really proud of how its engine sounds.
    My dog can never find its toys after he buries them in the yard.
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

Who's/Whose


Quick Tip:
Try to say "who is" or "who has" in the blank.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • Just like "it's," "who's" has two meanings: "Who is..." and "Who has..."
    Who's going to the game tonight?  [Who is going...]
    Who's been using my laptop?  [Who has been using...]​
  • "Whose" shows that something belongs to someone, just like his, hers, yours, & its.  Do you see how they all end with the s sound but DON'T have an apostrophe?
    I'm not sure whose bag this is.
    Whose room are you going to be in for Seminar today?
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

Sit/Set & Raise/Rise


Quick Tip:
"Set" and "raise" have to have a thing (a direct object).  
​"Sit" and "rise" don't.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Set" and "raise" are things you do to someone or something.  There has to be an object.  ​They're called  'transitive' verbs.
    Set that book down.
    Raise your hand.  [You're doing something to your hand.]
  • "Sit" and "rise" are things you do yourself.  They're called  'intransitive' verbs.
    I need to sit down.
    Your grade won't rise on its own.
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

Lay/Lie


Quick Tip:
"Lay" needs a thing (a direct object), just like "set" and "raise."  It might help to remember this rhyme:
You SAY something.  You LAY something.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Lay" is what you do to something else:
    "Lay your book down."  [The book doesn’t lay itself down, right?]
  • "Lie" is something you do yourself, (like "sit" and "rise").  Notice they all have an "i" in the middle.
    You sit down, and you lie down.  
  • If you say "I’m going to go lay down," I'll ask you "Really, are you going to lay an egg or what?"  You have to lay down a thing.
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
 

Possessives


Quick Tip:
Singular?  Use 's. 
Plural AND already ends with s?  Just add '.
Plural but no s?  Use 's.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • If the word is singular, add 's.
    sister's friend (one sister)
    table's legs (one table -- it doesn't matter how many legs)
  • If the word is plural AND ends with s, just add an apostrophe.
    dogs' (more than one dog)
  • If the word is plural but DOESN'T end with s, add 's.
    women's (more than one woman)
  • For names of famous teachers & philosophers (Jesus, Moses, Socrates, etc.), just add an apostrophe.
    Moses' people
Exercise
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.
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