I'm not a grammar dragon, but there is one mistake that makes me blow fire. (The following explanation comes from the Gotham Writer's Workshop Newsletter:
by Patricia T. O'Conner
What a difference an apostrophe makes. Every possessive has one, right? Well, not necessarily so. It (like he and she) is a pronoun—a stand-in for a noun—and pronouns don’t have apostrophes when they’re possessives: His coat is too loud because of its color, but hers is too mousy.
Now, as for it’s (the one with the punctuation), the apostrophe stands for something that has been removed. It’s is short for it is, and the apostrophe replaces the missing i in is. The parakeet is screeching because it’s time to feed him.
Here’s how to keep its and it’s straight:
- If the word you want could be replaced by it is, use it’s. If not, use its. (There’s more on its and it’s in the chapter on pronouns.)
NOTE: Sometimes it’s is short for it has, as in: It’s been hours since he ate.
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IT WIT
An itsy-bitsy problem
Used to give me fits.
Why use an apostrophe
With it’s but not with its?
The answer to this little quiz:
The longer it’s stands for “it is,”
While the its that’s less impressive
Is the one that’s a possessive.
An itsy-bitsy problem
Used to give me fits.
Why use an apostrophe
With it’s but not with its?
The answer to this little quiz:
The longer it’s stands for “it is,”
While the its that’s less impressive
Is the one that’s a possessive.
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From Woe Is I, Third Edition by Patricia T. O'Conner
Me again: The other day I was approached to be part of a blog tour. On the very first page of the work I spotted an "it's" instead of an "its." I declined.
What is your peeviest grammar peeve? Have at it, and a most splenetic Friday to you!
