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!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Jones Avatar
October 26, 2011 at 7:30 PM
me too,,, and still i do it sometimes! go figure~N
Kearley Avatar
October 26, 2011 at 4:16 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.
Kearley Avatar
October 27, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Thank you very much :-)
Bauer Avatar
October 26, 2011 at 7:40 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).
Song Avatar
October 26, 2011 at 3:41 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
Bauer Avatar
October 26, 2011 at 7:45 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...
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