Grammar Police: it's and its
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 09:20AM I'm not going to drag out my soap box and get all preachy about proper grammar. I often write as I speak here in MommyCosm. I'm sure if the grammar police were to look back on my archives, I would be found guilty of multiple violations.
That being said, I was helping my husband recently with his resume and cover letter. I had to look up the proper use of "it's" versus "its". I was pretty sure I was using them properly, but apparently *ahem* I was wrong.
Here's the skinny:
IT'S
It's is a contraction that stands for it is. You should only use it's in a sentence when you can replace it's with it is and still have the sentence make sense.
For instance:
Proper use:
Today is a crappy day because it's raining for the umpteenth time this summer.
Today is a crappy day because it is raining for the umpteenth time this summer.
Improper use:
Today is a crappy day because the dog shook it's wet body all over my living room.
Today is a crappy day because the dog shook it is wet body all over my living room.
For instance:
Proper use:
Today is a crappy day because the dog shook its wet body all over my living room.
Today is a crappy day because the dog shook his wet body all over my living room.
Improper use:
Today is a crappy day because its raining for the umpteenth time this summer.
Today is a crappy day because his raining for the umpteenth time this summer.
Not so much.
That concludes my lesson. Hope it helps.
Perhaps next I will tackle their, they're and there. I heard that they're on the lam hiding out with their cousin over there discussing the proper use of principle and principal.
Reader Comments (1)
I love you and I want you to have my children. Your children. Somebody's children! Can we do that? :)
[MommyCosm]
I think in some states that might be legal now...although challenging biologically speaking;)