BBC Home

Explore the BBC

h2g2
28th December 2009
Accessibility help
Text only

.

Conversation Forum


SEARCH h2g2
Edited Entries only
Search h2g2Advanced Search


New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in
BBC Homepage
The Guide to Life, The Universe and Everything.

This is the Conversation Forum for Correct Use of the Apostrophe In English
Contact Us


Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 
Conversation list
<< Things left out
Rationalisation for possessive apostrophe >>

it's and its
Post: 1
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Whoami?
The blob shows a confused person with 'it's' and 'its' above their head. However, I couldn't find the reference in your entry to what is a special case.

it's = it is
its = of it

Whoami? cake

Reply 

No Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 2
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Gnomon [See A60420098 for details of new sign-in system]
It's there in the section entitled "Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns".

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 3
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Lucinda (et al) - Dun Researchin'
Actually, the blob shows "its'" that's *with* a trailing apostrophe. Kind of odd, since "its'" is *never* correct... bigeyes

-Martin

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 4
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Whoami?
Shoot the artist! winkeye

biggrin cake

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 5
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by KerrAvon - Regret is a part of life. But keep it a small part.
If you had my English Master, you'd never have made that mistake. He spent two hours drumming apostrophes into us- I will never forget him marching around the classroom, slamming a board rubber onto everyone's desk chanting "apostrophe after the s in 'its' is never right... If I ever see one in your essays this board rubber will come into contact with your think skulls......" Over and over, until he'd banged it on all thirty of our desks.

ale

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 6
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Dad 'n Dave
" Its' " has got to be the most attrocious apostrophe apostasy that I have seen.

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 7
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by KerrAvon - Regret is a part of life. But keep it a small part.
Actaully 'Dad 'n Dave', your name seems to be lacking one of the little critters devil .

ale

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 8
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Gnomon [See A60420098 for details of new sign-in system]
He's obviously Dad in Dave. B****r! winkeye


Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 9
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by KerrAvon - Regret is a part of life. But keep it a small part.
ill Wonderful. Buggers at lunchtime.

ale

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 10
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by Gnomon [See A60420098 for details of new sign-in system]
Sorry! If that upsets you, Yikes it and I won't be offended.

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 11
Posted Oct 15, 2002 by KerrAvon - Regret is a part of life. But keep it a small part.
Hey? I was taking the piss Gnomon! Someone's been taking too many sensitive pills devil . Maybe I should have added a winkeye . Just to be safe, always assume until proven otherwise I'm being silly . And even then, I probably still am.

ale

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

it's and its
Post: 12
Posted Oct 16, 2002 by Dad 'n Dave
Maybe I'll just have to borrow one of those apostrophes that accumulate on lazy "its", or should that be 'itsbiggrin .

Actually, you need to be a bit familiar with Australia to appreciate the full reference to Dad 'n Dave. The only joke that Pop told me (and judging by the reaction of others in the room at the time it might just be the only joke that he has ever told anyone) was a Dad 'n Dave joke.

Reply 

Previous PostNo Next Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Key
Navigation Example
A: An older reply to the parent Posting
B: The parent Posting, to which this is a reply
C: A newer reply to the parent posting
D: The first reply to this Posting
Click to Make a Complaint
 Click on this icon to make a complaint about a specific Posting
Conversation list
<< Things left out
Rationalisation for possessive apostrophe >>






Disclaimer

Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please click on the Feedback button above.




About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy