The Editor’s Manual
Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.
“You’re” is the contraction of “you are,” while “your” is the possessive form of “you.” Don’t use “your” to mean “you are.”
Use “each of” with singular verbs to refer to every one of a group separately. “Each of” may be followed by a plural, gender-neutral pronoun. In spoken English, “each of” is sometimes used with plural verbs to refer to an entire group.
When “each” is part of the subject of a sentence, it is used with singular verbs, except when it follows a plural noun. “Each” may be used with a plural pronoun in an indefinite reference.
Use “a” or “an” before an abbreviation depending on how it is pronounced not written. If it starts with a consonant sound, use “a”; if it starts with a vowel sound, use “an.”
Use “both” to refer to two people or things. “Both” and “both of” can sometimes be used interchangeably, but not always. Use parallel structure with “both–and.” No commas are needed around “both.”
“That” introduces information that is essential to meaning and not enclosed in commas. “Which” introduces additional, optional details enclosed in commas. In British usage, it also introduces essential information.
Both “than I” and “than me” are grammatically correct, since “than” can be used as either a preposition or a conjunction. “Than I” is seen more often in formal usage.
“I” is a subject pronoun, while “me” is an object pronoun. In formal styles, use “I” in a compound subject and “me” in a compound object. “Me” is generally preferred in comparisons and after the “be” verb.
“No” is more emphatic than “not any” and is used more often in formal contexts. “A/an” instead of “any” is used with singular countable nouns in negative statements. “Not a” and “no” are not interchangeable.
“It’s” (with the apostrophe) is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” “Its” (without the apostrophe) is the possessive form of “it.”