It's and its

(I do realise that it's can also be an abbreviated version of 'it has', but the possessive 'its' seems to cause the most confusion)

whose coat is that jacket?
who's been eating my porridge?

I wanted to say that earlier today

A lot of people now use "it's" for for the possessive "its". I find this list of possessives useful:

his
hers
yours
theirs
its

Not an apostrophe in sight!

As opposed to:

he's
she's
it's
you're
they're

My hudl always puts an apostrophe when I type its. It's easy not to notice it's done that, in its own sweet way.

A lot of people will just assume that spellcheck has got it right, if they notice at all.

It's grand that you have all shed light on it and its identity. Thank you for it and on behalf of it!

Wrongly placed apostrophes are really irritating especially on signs. 'English Breakfast's £4.99' for example.
I agree though predictive text is a problem, we don't always read through what we have written

A timely reminder...I know the rules but in my everyday rush I throw apostrophes in at every opportunity. Of course I take care in official stuff (I hope!) but now I'll be more mindful ... thank you!

I don't know how often I've argued with predictive text when it insists on inserting an unnecessary apostrophe. I think the programs should be re-written on the basis of 'if in doubt, leave it out'.
Better the occasional missed one than the dozens of superfluous ones!

There's a local FB page in my area called "Mummy's in Plymouth" I so want to say, "Oh is she?"

Ha, and I see I left out a full stop after "Mummy's in Plymouth". Not the best forum to make this sort of error .

Its my new keyboard wot does it
its a wireless one and has a mind of it's own

I recently received an e-mail from one of our salesmen using its and it's correctly. I found that quite a turn on.

Sales reps are fun and can charm the hind legs off a donkey but they can't write correct English (or whatever their native language is) for toffee.

Strange things turn you on JackyB but each to her own .

I hate apostrophes especially as they turn me into a puppy murderer on a regular basis.

How can that be?

Dogs can't write, let alone punctuate...(as far as I know)

Mummies in Plymouth, surely?

Ana...... you old pedant you.
Still, it was important and needed saying.

Oh dear, I am so ashamed of the Mummy's in Plymouth

'Twas never like it in my day.

Plymothian Mummies?

Mummies in Plymouth, surely?

Exactly so Jalima - though it does rather sound like Egyptian mummies . They should have just stuck with 'Mums in Plymouth' - much easier!

I did imagine them swathed in bandages!

Of course, they may not be Plymothian - even if they have lived there for years they may still be 'furriners'

So Mums in Plymouth or Plymouth Mums

Or Mum's

Ana, every time you misuse an apostrophe a puppy dies.

Sorry Vampirequeen, I didn't know that...

That's terrible, vq.
I'm glad to know, however, that you are not turned into an enraged puppy-murderer by seeing mis-used or missing apostrophes, as I had imagined.

It's is also short for 'it has'.
It's been raining, etc.

I used to teach its/it's to classes of Arabic speakers in (mostly) one two-hour session. They never seemed to have any trouble.

I just don't understand why so many native speakers can't get it.
It really isn't difficult.
Presumably nobody has ever explained it to them simply enough.