IT'S vs ITS

[Guest]

Perhaps THE most misused term seen in newsgroups...


IT'S means IT IS, and ALWAYS has an apostrophe.

ITS is a possessive, and NEVER takes an apostrophe.


Does it matter? Yes, if you want to communicate clearly.

 

[Alan Simpson]

It's its own fault (the English language's) for breaking the usual rule of
apostrophe s as possessive. But thanks for the grammar lesson.

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

Absolutely one of the problems with English as a language. One of my
favourites: "I am going to pare a pair of pears." Confusing enough to a
person born in an English-speaking environment, but try explaining this
sentence to someone with a limited grasp of the language.

 

[Dennis Pack x64, v64B2 \(5384\), OPP2007B2]

That's fine for proper American English grammar freaks. There are many that
post here that American English isn't their common or natural language,
including UK English which has many differences. The better way of doing
things is that if you can understand the post and make a creditable reply
then reply. To critique a post due to improper words or grammar is totally
unproductive. Most of us are trying to help which is the objective of these
newsgroups.

 

[Tom Lake]

Perhaps THE most misused term seen in newsgroups...


IT'S means IT IS, and ALWAYS has an apostrophe.

ITS is a possessive, and NEVER takes an apostrophe.


Does it matter? Yes, if you want to communicate clearly.

I'm glad your their too correct hour grammar the rite weigh. Now can you
do anything about grammpar?

Tom "The best they is in English!" Lake

Lake's Rules of Talking Good:
A preposition is not a good thing to end a sentence with.
Never verbify a noun.
Don't split infinitives up.
Never speak while masticating.

 

[jonah]

Perhaps THE most misused term seen in newsgroups...


IT'S means IT IS, and ALWAYS has an apostrophe.

ITS is a possessive, and NEVER takes an apostrophe.


Does it matter? Yes, if you want to communicate clearly.

dere wuz me finking it's sumfink ter do wiv IT



Jonah

 

[Jimmy Brush]

Its vs. it's doesn't bother me.

My pet peeve is people who do not break their messages down into
pharagraphs.

I find myself skipping over posts that are just one giant blob of text
(unless it's short, of course).

- JB

Vista Support FAQ
http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I hate the grammar and spelling police. They never think about the posters
who have another primary language.

 

[dotcom]

I do too!
It reeks arrogance.
dotcom

I hate the grammar and spelling police. They never think about the posters
who have another primary language.

"Dennis Pack x64, v64B2 (5384), OPP2007B2" <[email protected]>
wrote in message

 

[Michael Cecil]

Perhaps THE most misused term seen in newsgroups...


IT'S means IT IS, and ALWAYS has an apostrophe.

ITS is a possessive, and NEVER takes an apostrophe.

Apostrophes are for freaks with Unicode keyboards!

 

[Raven Mill]

LOL...

Believe it or not, I just had this discussion with someone awhile ago and I
find myself getting it backwards all the time.

 

[Michael Cecil]

LOL...

Believe it or not, I just had this discussion with someone awhile ago and I
find myself getting it backwards all the time.

Just remember "its" is like "his".
And "it is>it's" just like "he is>he's".

 

[Andyistic]

I've given up on trying to get people to comply with "proper" English - it's
a losing proposition.
They have their ways burned into their minds - they do not wish to change.
Just sit back and enjoy their illustration of their ignorance. Nothing more
you can do.

-- Andy

 

[Mark Gillespie]

Perhaps THE most misused term seen in newsgroups...


IT'S means IT IS, and ALWAYS has an apostrophe.

ITS is a possessive, and NEVER takes an apostrophe.


Does it matter? Yes, if you want to communicate clearly.

Don't start me off. Colour always has a U in it, as does Favourite,
Licence does not have a S.. If you want to take the English language and
bastardise (bartardize) it, then don't call it English anymore..


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[MICHAEL]

Don't start me off. Colour always has a U in it, as does Favourite,
Licence does not have a S.. If you want to take the English language and
bastardise (bartardize) it, then don't call it English anymore..

While I do cringe at what some folks pass off as written
communication skills (the texting generation, especially),
I do not mind a bit of color (no 'u'- if you don't like it, go
ahead and have an anuerism).

Long before America started to add its own flavor to
the English language, Scotland and Ireland had already
done a marvelous job at "bastardizing" English. There's
also a distinct Canadian English dialect. A rather flavorful
version of English exists in India, also- been there, read it
and heard it. Every culture that was once a colony, settlement,
or imperialistic dominated country has their own version of
English. Take a trip to New Orleans, through the South, Philly,
Califiornia, New York and discover a richness of sound.

So what, not everyone spells or speaks English like those
that once claimed dominion over those "ungrateful" conquered
tribes and territories.
Does England own a copyright on the English language
with the power to enforce such a hypothetical copyright?

One of my favorite flavors of English that has been bastardized,
is the version that comes out of mountain folks of the Appalachia's.

Lighten the fudge up, or STFU.


-Michael

 

[dotcom]

California???

dotcom

While I do cringe at what some folks pass off as written
communication skills (the texting generation, especially),
I do not mind a bit of color (no 'u'- if you don't like it, go ahead and
have an anuerism).
Long before America started to add its own flavor to
the English language, Scotland and Ireland had already
done a marvelous job at "bastardizing" English. There's
also a distinct Canadian English dialect. A rather flavorful
version of English exists in India, also- been there, read it
and heard it. Every culture that was once a colony, settlement,
or imperialistic dominated country has their own version of
English. Take a trip to New Orleans, through the South, Philly,
Califiornia, New York and discover a richness of sound.

So what, not everyone spells or speaks English like those
that once claimed dominion over those "ungrateful" conquered
tribes and territories.
Does England own a copyright on the English language
with the power to enforce such a hypothetical copyright?

One of my favorite flavors of English that has been bastardized,
is the version that comes out of mountain folks of the Appalachia's.

Lighten the fudge up, or STFU.


-Michael

 

[MICHAEL]

Like, dude... fur sure.

California???

dotcom

 

[deebs]

Apparently Malaysia (or rather the Government of Malaysia) is thinking
about making English the official language of the nation.

So maybe the range of English typing contributors will increase even more?

Perhaps as one's understanding and tolerance (or at least as hoped?)?

 

[Mario Rosario]

I have a problem with using in vs. on.

I know the simpler cases like, I'm in a room sitting on a chair reading my
Vista manual. But I frequently get it mixed up with the more esoteric cases.
For example, am I in my hammock dreaming of Windows Vista? Or am I on my
hammock dreaming of my Windows Vista?

Anyone know the rules?