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It’s Funny How We Misuse Its Forms
Posted by Editormum on Saturday, 22 March 2003 in Usage and Diction | ∞
“Its” and “It’s” — What a dilemma! When do you need to use the one with the apostrophe, and when must you leave that little flying comma out?
This one is easy. The rule is that “it’s” with the apostrophe is used only when the word is used as a contraction of “it is.”
Strange as it may seem, “its” is one of the only possessives that does not use the apostrophe to indicate ownership.
Examples: It’s my opinion that this book isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
The little kitten was crying for its mother.
Bob said, “Don’t kick the car; it’s not its fault you had a wreck!”
3 Comments
Thanks for clarifying!
Yet another of my peeves. Thanks for telling folks!
I was an offender. Sorry. And thanks, it won’t happen ever again.