1. Circle each to, too, two
2. For each, ask yourself these questions:
   1. Is this a number? Then it should be two
   2. Is this about a lot of stuff? Too much or Too many should use too
   3. Otherwise, you should probably use to

1. Circle each there, their, they're
2. For each, ask yourself these questions:
   1. Is this a place? Then it should be there
   2. Can I replace this with THEY ARE? Then it should be they're
   3. Otherwise, you should probably use their

• Don't write: I love ice cream more than anything. This is why I love going to Dairy Queen.
• Do write: I love ice cream more than anything. This preference is why I love going to Dairy Queen.

There are a few phrases that students use too often. These phrases sound pretty good when they are spoken, but lose a lot of their power when used in papers. Consider re-wording sentences that use these phrases or words:

In today's society

Nowadays (or now a days)

These phrases don't usually add much to your paper, and detract from your message.

When we speak, we often use the word so to indicate awesomeness or excellence, as in: "That's so great!" While this phrase works in speech, the word "so" creates the need for a second part, a 'dependent clause' to explain what you mean. If you make this error a lot, you should do a scan of your paper for the word so and ask yourself "so what?" If your phrase doesn't answer the question, you need to rewrite it.

• Don't write: I love The Sopranos so much.
• Do write: I love The Sopranos so much that I started a bookmaking ring and got arrested by the police.

Whenever you use so, you need to explain "so much that what?"