1. Avrilkiller

    Avrilkiller New Member

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    It's confusing

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Avrilkiller, Dec 31, 2006.

    An it's needs an apostrophe when it's saying "it is".

    And it's needs an apostrophe when it's signifying ownership, like Jenny's or Paul's.

    Now, I know there must be, but I can't for the life of me think of another use of the word it's where there is no apostrophe. Isn't there one? I could swear I remember being taught the difference, but....can't ever remember doing it.

    Can someone refresh my memory before I go insane?
     
  2. Robert

    Robert Banned

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    It's = it is.

    Its is the possessive case and has no apostrophe.
     
  3. Crazy Ivan

    Crazy Ivan New Member

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    ^^^^

    He's right.
     
  4. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    Sample of using "its".

    Since we took its bone, the dog started chewing sticks.

    Terry
     
  5. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yup!
     
  6. danHQ

    danHQ New Member

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    I won't say anything that the others haven't said, but i want to anyway.

    'Its' is the possesive case, that is without an apostrophe which is unlike the others. When an apostrophe is added in between 's' and 't' it is to show the editing of letters. I can't remember the the correct terminology for it, but 'it's' with an apostrophe means 'it is': like you probably already know.
     
  7. Avrilkiller

    Avrilkiller New Member

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    Ooooh....really?

    Wow...yeah, I knew it is = it's, but I thought we used an apostrophe on possesion, same as you would a name.

    Damn I feel stupid, lol....**goes back to reedit**

    Thanks a bunch.
     
  8. danHQ

    danHQ New Member

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    Your welcome.
     
  9. Robert

    Robert Banned

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    Don't feel stupid. It's a common error. Part of the learning curve of being a writer is becoming familiar with errors like this one and avoiding them in your writing.

    I don't usually correct typos in posts unless I'm writing a critique of a story, but in the context of the discussion, this is another common error. You ought to have written:

    You're welcome.

    Cheers,
    Rob
     
  10. danHQ

    danHQ New Member

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    Yes i did write it at 1am last night... i was rather tired.
     
  11. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    The term would be 'contraction'. :)

    Terry
     
  12. SeaBreeze

    SeaBreeze Banned

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    Hey, thanks for this.... I now know a few things... so I will probably have to go back to this ova and ova again....
    :D
     

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