English Grammar: Part 2

[hyphenate]

It's versus its

This is such a simple one, but it is almost always mangled.

One form is a contraction of "it is" and the other is a possessive form of the pronoun, "it."

When you're writing it, think of its context. Are you thinking about the verb, or are you referring to a subject? That's the easiest way to know if you want the verb or the pronoun.

It's (it is) very easy once you can see the difference.

Use the apostrophe ONLY with the contraction. The possessive form is without the apostrophe.

Get it?
Got it?
Good!

[BlueJazz]

1. Thanks!..That explain's its.

[Dave Reynolds]

2. I are happy

thats all cleare'd up.

[WCGreen]

3. Oh, it is soo easy isn't it.......

[Telly Savalas]

4. Keep it up! Your doing a great job!

:hide:

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. If it ain't a contraction, no apostrophe action!

That's how I was taught by a secretary many years ago.

[IChing]

9. Its why I had a secretary, damn we're is she when I need her? n/t

[rug]

6. If you kegel, can you omit the contraction?

[Guy Fawkes]

7. Its crazy how many people get that wrong...

Its been driving me crazy all these years.

[Catfight]

8. 'your' bad....LOL

[njdemocrat106]

10. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

BTW folks, if you're going to be writing and using "it's", re-read your sentence by replacing "it's" with "it is". If it sounds funny, the correct usage is (99.999999% of the time) "its". I don't know how many articles on Wikipedia I've edited just to change "it's" to "its". The misuse of "its" and "it's" is my biggest problem with the Internets. Incorrect grammar is such an eyesore, IMO. (And don't call me a grammar Nazi, either :) ).

[hyphenate]

14. I'm trying to tackle

the most blatant examples of incorrect grammar first before I get into deeper subject matter. I don't like to be considered a grammar nazi, either, but I will often, in the peace and quiet of my own office, scream outloud at some of the horrible things I read--and that's the writing, not the subject matter!

[tuvor]

11. What's the next lesson, hyphenate?

Looking forward to it.

[hyphenate]

12. Don't know yet

But it might be homophones. At least the most aggravating ones, anyhow. :)

[Hand]

17. Howzabout the correct use of "comprise"?

Always a cause for bloodshed.

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. Or howzabout doing plurals properly?

And stop the ignorant unwashed massed from saying shit like "data is" and "phenomenas" and "the media is".

For some of the more "obscure" words that have odd plurals. And I put that in quotes, because these words should be known and used properly by everyone, but most people just don't seem to give a good goddamn, and even our national media constantly use them improperly.

Also add in "Attorneys General" and etc.


And then, on a somewhat humorous note, remembering an Onion sendup of William Safire's column from years ago, you can offer your argument over whether it should be "2 Whopper Juniors" or "2 Whoppers Junior", or "3 Burritos Supreme" or "3 Burrito Supremes".

[DS1]

13. Is this a grammar issue, or a spelling issue?

I vote spelling, because if you use its where it should be it's, you've just screwed up the sentence.

[hyphenate]

15. And what is a sentence,

but an integral part of grammar? If it weren't for sentences, there would be no grammar!

I'll be doing a mix of things during these very short lessons--tackling style, spelling, grammatical errors, and almost anything to do with writing.

I've got enough material for a couple of weeks, and then I'll be happy to take requests. :)

[IChing]

16. Sarcasm aside, I think you have a good post.

The language and rules of language can define our environments.
Marshall McLuhan who was educated in english wrote well in this.

you do good.

:dunce: :headbang:

You honestly help everyone's writing, Thanks

[Meatwad]

19. We's a bit picky, eh?

Its alright.

:D

[yewberry]

20. The easiest way to remember this:

In general, pronouns don't take an apostrophe:

His--no apostrophe!
Hers--no apostrophe!
Its--no apostrophe!

"It's" is ONLY ever a contraction for "it is" or "it has." ONLY!