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Discussion Topic: When "It's" Isn't "Its"
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tommypaine |
06-30-2010 @ 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
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In re today's Midas, I would like to request that EVERYONE who posts or is quoted on this website learn to use the English language:
"It's" is a CONTRACTION of "It is". Nothing more, nothing less.
The POSSESSIVE form is "its". Like "his", there is NO APOSTROPHE.
Let's talk straight, boys!
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martinrooy |
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07-01-2010 @ 9:07 AM
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Thanks for the English lesson. I'll try to remember it. Its for possessive and it's for the contraction. Its been a while since I had an English lesson. I guess it's about time I had a refresher and it's O.K. to be corrected.
Thanks.
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martinrooy |
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07-01-2010 @ 10:54 AM
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It's a mistake to write 'its been awhile'. In this case it's a contraction of it has. Its proper writing would be it's been a while. Is that correct or isn't it?
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dermer |
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07-01-2010 @ 1:54 PM
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It's correct (IMHO) to write 'its been a while' because it's is only a contraction of 'it is' and does not generalize to other contractions.
Meanwhile the POG is down around $43 so it's not a happy
Canada Day!
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martinrooy |
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07-01-2010 @ 6:19 PM
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I don't think it's so Dermer. It's on good authority 'it has' its contraction written as it's. It's come from the lips of an English major so its validity must be correct. That's not to mention our instructor tommypaine. IMHO.
I wouldn't worry about the price of gold unless I was on non payable margin. Think of the alternatives.
Have a good Canada Day anyway.
This message was edited by martinrooy on 7-1-10 @ 6:21 PM
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tommypaine |
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07-02-2010 @ 10:02 PM
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I agree that "it's" can also be the contraction "it has". Thanks.
It's nice to find that so many folks were inspired to contribute to this thread.
I am therefore moved to offer my favorite English language spelling rule, which is very useful if only you can remember the d*mn thing:
Monosyllables ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant when adding a suffix beginning with a vowel. The same is true for words of more than one syllable, providing the accent is on the last syllable.
If you like all of this I have one more: ask me for a sentence containing the word "that" repeated five times in succession.
This message was edited by tommypaine on 7-2-10 @ 10:03 PM
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martinrooy |
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07-03-2010 @ 9:21 AM
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I think that, "that, 'that', that that man wrote" in a sentence five times may have time to spare.
rewritten it would read like this,
"I think, that 'that' which that man wrote"
It seems to me there is only one that and that would indicate there is no need that that that be singled out so that that that would become that that since there is only one that to begin with.
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jvtay |
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07-03-2010 @ 9:20 PM
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Even MORE important is not to end a clause or sentence with a preposition...such as "Why did you bring that book that I didn't want to be read to out of up for." That's FIVE prepositions at the end!!! In some circles that could lead to imprisonment...or worse.
Instead one should say, "Wherefore thusly did you bring that book up hither out of which I did not want to be read." Saying it properly is so very important, even if it makes you sound, well, like a bouncer in a tutu...and noone wants to sit next to you anymore...or drink out of your glass. Oh my.... Priorities...priorities....
This is one of THE most important rules in the entire world...bar none...teach it to your kids. Make them sit in the corner for hours repeating it to themselves.
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pidge |
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08-02-2010 @ 11:59 AM
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And since we're on the subject of contractions (albeit in the Financial
Markets forum!) has anyone mentioned "your" vs "you're"? That's the
one that kills me.
In case you don't know of what I speak (for you Jvtay), "your" is a
possessive pronoun as in "your money" vs "you're" is a contraction of
"you are."
So to summarize, if you're going to use "your," then you'd better know
your grammar. Otherwise you're going to look silly in front of your
friends. 
(I had to read that several times to makes sure I got it right!)
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