An and a are different forms of the same word. Ordinarily an is used before vowel sounds, and a before consonant sounds.

Remember that a vowel sound does not necessarily mean beginning with a vowel, nor does consonant sound mean beginning with a consonant, because English spelling does not coincide closely with the sound of words.

Some examples:
a house—one among many. As opposed to the house, which indicates a particular house.
an orange
a European
an honor
a yelling crowd

Many writers use an before h, even when not silent, when the word is not accented on the first syllable:
An historian
An heroic act.
an hereditary disposition.
An habitual liar.

Here’s the thing, we all would like to make good money by writing. There are as many different ways to write for the Internet as there are people doing it. Assuming you are involved in some kind of Internet marketing, you are going to have to do at least a little bit of free text copy writing or, more personal, blog posts.

Whatever your reason for being here, if you need to write for the Internet, then you are trying to attract readers. Readers appreciate not having to stumble over your words to gain your meaning, so make your writing flow as smoothly as possible, for their/there/they’re sakes.
(Homework: Which one should I have used?) -(Thanks, Jo! You are right, of course! I missed this!)

I have seen more newbies fail at the task of looking professional than I care to mention, and the first place (after bad graphics) that exposes their “freshness” is their copy. More, they might actually know the difference, but in their haste to finish the work, may have easily overlooked the there–their–they’re mistake in the proofreading (it’s amazing how easy it is to overlook a misused antonym).

So, do whatever it takes to remember the difference in these words and when they can properly be used.

Definitions:

• They’re – Contraction of two words, they and are.
• Their – Indicates possession. “Their hard drive is filled to the last gigabyte with free ebooks.”
• There – Indicates position. “The batteries are over there.”

Accept or Except! Do or Do not, there is no try.

1. Except for major blunders, most readers will accept a few misused words, but the expectation is that you express excellence in everything you offer them, else how can they build a trusting relationship with you?

2. Accept for major blunders, most readers will except a few misused words, but the expectation is that you express excellence in everything you offer them, else how can they build a trusting relationship with you?

(Homework: Which sentence above is correct?)

Definitions:

• Except – Exclusion. Except for major blunders, readers will accept…
• Accept – To take or receive, to regard as normal, suitable, or usual.

And, finally, its versus it’s.

This one is extremely easy to remember.

It’s is a contraction of the 2 words, “it” and “is.” “It’s raining again!”

Its infers possession. “Its instincts were sharp as the deer caught scent of the wolf.” The deer possesses the instincts; the instincts belong to the deer. Its infers possession.