Its

“It’s” with an apostrophe Means "it is" – all the time! Using it another way Is quite a grammar crime. Whenever I encounter writing With a misused “it’s,” My pressure passes by its boiling point Before it quits. “Should of,” “would of,” could of” Are annoying, to be sure; And for “there,” “their,” “they’re” confusion No one seems to have a cure. But the most frustrating writing error Is, I do believe, Using “it’s” instead of “its” – It’s my number one pet peeve!

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Nancy Jones

Date: 10/26/2011 7:30:00 PM

me too,,, and still i do it sometimes! go figure~N

Dan Kearley

Date: 10/26/2011 4:16:00 PM

Ok what about using it is instead of it's? What are your thoughts on that?And I have never used (its) without an apostrophe.I was told to never spell it that way.Please explain to me.

Dan Kearley
Date: 10/27/2011 12:19:00 PM

Thank you very much :-)

Ilene Bauer
Date: 10/26/2011 7:40:00 PM

thanks for reading and commenting! when used as a possessive (the cat hurt its paw) you should not use an apostrophe. it is can always substitute for it's, unless you're counting syllables (as in a poem).

Gwendolen Song

Date: 10/26/2011 3:41:00 PM

Are you an English teacher? This is fun and intellectually entertaining. I am flabbergasted that so many don't pay attention to details....texting might be the culprit. Apostrophes are often ignored bc of inconvenience. Great to read your latest. I was tempted to spell something wrong just for fun....I withheld the temptation. ha ha. Gwendolen

Ilene Bauer
Date: 10/26/2011 7:45:00 PM

gwendolen, you've found me out! i'm sure that many of my former students would remember my rants about misplaced apostrophes. little things do matter, as surprising as that may be. i would have laughed at a misspelling, but wouldn't have known if you were pulling my leg or not...