I've saved what is probably the most common homophone spelling error ever for the 10th issue. Confusing
it's and
its is something we all do. Sometimes,
it's just a typing error. We type
it's more often than
its, so muscle memory sometimes leads us to make the mistake. Sometimes, though,
it's an error in understanding.
It'sThe only correct usage of
it's is as a contraction of it is. If you don't mean
it is, don't type
it's.
ItsWhen you want to use the possessive form of the pronoun "it," type
its. No apostrophe is needed, since
it has a separate spelling for the possessive form, as do several other pronouns.
It's a confusing spelling, because
its is formed by adding an s to the pronoun. Since that's similar to how we form other possessives, but with an apostrophe before the "s,"
it's not surprising that people sometimes add an apostrophe. English is sometimes confusing, and, like an errant child, does not follow
its own vague rules. Pity the poor person who must learn English as a second language.
People even make word plays on this homophone pair, since the confusion is so common. If you had multiple It's-It ice cream treats, you would refer to them as
It's-Its Fortunately, few of us have the need to do this:
Baby Kitty is bored now with this ubiquitous error, so it yawns and shows
its tongue
Itts - Bonus Tip
The plural of
it is
they, so there can be no confusion about
its being a plural form. However, the plural of
Itt would be
Itts were there more than one Cousin Itt.
Here are the previous issues in reverse order:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1508505http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1502644http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1495084http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1487899http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1481954http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1481631http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1481332http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1480103http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1479832