Tip for writers - Where, we're, wear

byLimaJeson

231 followers

11 years ago

Here's the third in my series on tips for writers.

These three words are commonly mistaken for each other: where, we're and wear.

• We're going to a place where we can wear casual clothes.
• We're (we are) going to a place where (location) we can wear (clothing/adornment) casual clothes.

So, as shown in the sentence above: "we're" is a contraction (joining) of two words; "where" is a location; and, "wear" is used for an adornment (eg clothing/jewellery). Note that "wear" is also the spelling for something that is deteriorating eg, "my car brakes wear out quite quickly".

Where

As already stated, "where" is a location. So is "here", and the word "here" forms part of the word "where"! Cool, huh?

• Where is it? Here it is.

We're

"We're" is the contraction, or shortening, of the two words "we are". Just like in my last post, you can remember when to use this spelling by thinking of the apostrophe (') as a little staple, sticking two words together.

Also, you can check if you're using the right spelling by asking yourself if "we are" also works in the sentence. If it does, you've got it right.

• We're going shopping today.
• We are going shopping today.

Wear

"Wear" is used when talking about clothing or an adornment such as a hat or jewellery. The hint for this word is that you can wear something on your ear (like an earring) - and the word "ear" forms part of the word "wear"!

• I want to wear my silver earrings today. I can wear them with my hat.

Wear also means when something is used too much and could be remembered by the term "wear and tear".

• Stop pacing, you'll wear out the carpet!

I hope these tips have helped. I might create a cheat sheet when I'm finished with this series, so you can keep them handy. If you haven't seen my other tips, click on the links below:

• Tip for writers - There, their, they're
• Tip for writers - It's and its

Happy writing