English can be tricky. Here are a few tips to help you with all too common confusions.
Affect vs. Effect
Affect is most commonly an action. "The arrows affected the sunny day."
Effect is most commonly a result. "The effect of the arrows was darkness."
Effect is most commonly a result. "The effect of the arrows was darkness."
They're, their, and there
They're is a shortened version of "they are." They're buying a new shirt.
There refers to a place or idea. The shirt is being bought there.
Their means someone owns something. Their new shirt was expensive!
There refers to a place or idea. The shirt is being bought there.
Their means someone owns something. Their new shirt was expensive!
Your and you're
You're is a shortened version of "you are." You're doing great learning this new skill.
Your is possessive. Your idea for the tournament was amazing.
Your is possessive. Your idea for the tournament was amazing.
Passive and active voice
Distinguishing between active and passive voice is easier than your teacher makes it out to be, all you need is some of the living dead! If you can insert "by zombies" after your sentence and it makes sense, the voice is passive.
PASSIVE: The sandwich was eaten [by zombies]. In this case "by zombies" makes sense, so the voice is passive.
ACTIVE: He ate the sandwich [by zombies]. In this case "by zombies" doesn't make sense, so the voice is active.
PASSIVE: The sandwich was eaten [by zombies]. In this case "by zombies" makes sense, so the voice is passive.
ACTIVE: He ate the sandwich [by zombies]. In this case "by zombies" doesn't make sense, so the voice is active.