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its and it's
29 Answers
I'm really struggling on this one, but when do you use its and when do you use it's.
I always thought the apostrophe was used when a letter was to be removed (doesn't, isn't etc) and also when it belongs to someone (Peter's cat).
So when exactly do we use its?
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Here's some historical background...
"Its", the possessive form of �it' as in �the dog wagged its tail', originally did have an apostrophe in it. Indeed, it usually had one from the late 1500s until the early 1800s...a quarter of a millennium. Until the 17th century, the possessive form of things was generally given as "his", as it was for masculine creatures. So we would have had �the tree shed his leaves'.
"Its", without the apostrophe, does not appear anywhere in Shakespeare's works published in his own lifetime, for example, although "it's" - meaning �belonging to it' - does appear there!
The earliest recorded use of "its" dates to 1598. By comparison, the earliest use of "it's", meaning "it is" comes from 1625. The two forms of possessive - it's/its - were used side by side for some time until eventually they separated out, as it were, to take on their different modern meanings.
In other words, the reason for there being no apostrophe in the possessive �its' nowadays is simply usage and the development of the language over the years...nothing else.
"Its", the possessive form of �it' as in �the dog wagged its tail', originally did have an apostrophe in it. Indeed, it usually had one from the late 1500s until the early 1800s...a quarter of a millennium. Until the 17th century, the possessive form of things was generally given as "his", as it was for masculine creatures. So we would have had �the tree shed his leaves'.
"Its", without the apostrophe, does not appear anywhere in Shakespeare's works published in his own lifetime, for example, although "it's" - meaning �belonging to it' - does appear there!
The earliest recorded use of "its" dates to 1598. By comparison, the earliest use of "it's", meaning "it is" comes from 1625. The two forms of possessive - it's/its - were used side by side for some time until eventually they separated out, as it were, to take on their different modern meanings.
In other words, the reason for there being no apostrophe in the possessive �its' nowadays is simply usage and the development of the language over the years...nothing else.
littleoldme - that phrase about the dog is brilliant. i have difficulty with apostrophes, even though i'm writing a novel. but your sentence thing is now on a piece of paper by my desk and helps a lot.
dribfunk - i get annoyed by people who cant use grammar correctly, but i have to admit that i have difficulty with brought and bought. can never tell the difference.
Immortal, I've just finished writing a book and the number of times I had to reword because I couldn't figure the its and it's...
As for bought and brought, if you bring a bottle to the party, you've brought it.
If you need to buy it, you've bought it.
It's nothing like the old scone thing, though.
It's a scone (rhyme with stone) until it's eaten, then it's scone (rhyme with gone) - mildly amusing if read without the brackets!!
So purplelinzi, please, do tell us.
My original question was to distinguish the difference between it's and its.
I always thought the apostrophe was meant to show when a letter has been dropped and the space between two words removed.
I was also informed at a young age the apostrophe was to show that an item belonged to someone.
"It's" is an abbreviation of "it is" or "it has".
Otherwise, an apostrophe is used to show possession only when it is a noun, not a personal pronoun. Therefore it should be John's, Peter's, the dog's.
But for pronouns it should be mine, yours, his, hers, its rather than mi'ne, your's, hi's, her's, it's.
The correct use of the apostrophe in this sort of situation is one of my pet hates, and I think that anybody who doesn't use apostrophes correctly should have hi's or he'r head cut off.
I always thought it was wrong, but teacher said otherwise! I mean, Bob's could mean Bob is or belonging to Bob. Replace Bob with an inanimate object and rules seem to go out the window.
Best incorrect apostrophe's? "Upstair's: fish bowl's, rabbit hutche's, budgie's, cage's" and various other pet accessorie's. I nearly kicked the sign over.
You may not know that there is an ancient post of Apostropher Royal and that grocers have the right to use apostrophes without let or hindrance.
The Grocers' Rights were originally only for Greengrocers (1517). However, common laws of usage have meant that they have now passed to all Market Traders (Grocer's Right's Amendment's Act, 1947) . They also have the authority, should they so choose, to ensure better understanding by the safe use of multiple apostrophes. "Potato's' 45p for 3 pound's" is perhaps the most accomplished I've seen.
And it's much to John's, James' and many other people's advantage.
The Grocers' Rights were originally only for Greengrocers (1517). However, common laws of usage have meant that they have now passed to all Market Traders (Grocer's Right's Amendment's Act, 1947) . They also have the authority, should they so choose, to ensure better understanding by the safe use of multiple apostrophes. "Potato's' 45p for 3 pound's" is perhaps the most accomplished I've seen.
And it's much to John's, James' and many other people's advantage.
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