Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

 Use the indefinite article a with words beginning with a consonant sound. Use the indefinite article an with words beginning with a vowel sound. see When to Say a or an a cat, a game of golf, a human endeavour, a Frenchman, a university (you-ni-ver-si-ty) an apple, an easy job, an interesting story, an old man, an umbrella, an honorable man (on-o-ra-ble)

Use the indefinite article a/an for countable nouns in general. Use the definite article the for specific countable nouns and all uncountable nouns. I saw a bird and a balloon in the sky. The bird was blue and the balloon was yellow. He always saves some of the money that he earns.

 Spell proper adjectives with an initial capital letter. Proper adjectives are made from proper nouns, for example Germany → German, Orwell → Orwellian, Machiavelli → Machiavellian. London is an English town. Who is the Canadian prime minister? Which is your favourite Shakespearian play?

Spell a proper noun with an initial capital letter. A proper noun is a “name” of something, for example Josef, Mary, Russia, China, British Broadcasting Corporation, English. We have written to Mary. Is China in Asia? Do you speak English?

The contraction he’d can mean he had OR he would. Similarly, they’d can mean they had OR they would. He had eaten when I arrived. He would eat more if possible. They had already finished. They would come if they could.

The contraction he’s can mean he is OR he has. Similarly, she’s can mean she is OR she has, and it’s can mean it is OR it has, and John’s can mean John is OR John has. He is working He has finished. She is here. She has left. John is married. John has divorced his wife.

The words there, their and they’re are three different words with different meanings. There was nobody at the party. I saw their new car. Do you think they’re happy?

The words your and you’re are two different words with different meanings. Here is your coffee. You’re looking good.

 The words its and it’s are two different words with different meanings. The dog has hurt its leg. He says it’s two o’clock.

Treat collective nouns (e.g. committee, company, board of directors) as singular OR plural. In BrE a collective noun is usually treated as plural, needing a plural verb and pronoun. In AmE a collective noun is often treated as singular, needing a singular verb and pronoun. The committee are having sandwiches for lunch. Then they will go to London. (typically BrE) The…