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Pedants' corner

It's and its

(133 Posts)
Ana Thu 26-Jan-17 17:55:18

It's is short for 'it is'.

Its means belonging to or associated with.

That's all I wanted to say...smile

Rinouchka Thu 09-Feb-17 18:50:44

Judge past the wrinkles? Meant "look past the wrinkles". Freudian slip.

acanthus Thu 09-Feb-17 19:54:08

Ana - you've said it.

Ana Thu 09-Feb-17 20:07:47

Sorry - what have I said (recently)? confused

NanKate Thu 09-Feb-17 20:17:32

Thanks Rinouchka I will print off your clear explanation and keep it in my diary so I will have no excuse to get it wrong. I suspect I used it incorrectly the other day on GN but I can't remember which thread. flowers

Isabella1 Thu 09-Feb-17 20:26:56

"It's ball" is not used because of possible confusion with the "it is" meaning, e.g. if you were to write "It's back" would you be referring to the back belonging to "It" or the fact that "It" had returned?"

Yes but I could then say exactly the same confusion arises with "Janet's back" but we don't drop the possessive apostrophe in that case.

grandtanteJE65 Fri 21-Jul-17 14:56:57

I would have asked who had written the captions and expressed the hope that she/he was not teaching my child grammar.

devongirl Fri 21-Jul-17 15:33:31

I always had trouble remembering which was which until someone pointed out that the possessive is the same as 'his', i.e. no apostrophe - never had the problem since!