I have a question about English usage for you grammar buffs...

[battleknight24]

When do you use "its" and when do you use "it's"???


Peace,

[lizzieforkerry]

1. It's is a contraction of it is.

So anytime you can substitute it is in the sentence, you can use it's.

[Rumba]

2. "Its" is possessive, "it's" is a contraction of "it is".

Use "it's" whenever you would be correct in writing out "it is". Use "its" anyplace that parallels "his" or "hers".

Example:

"It's true that a snake sheds its skin"

[tuvor]

3. Use the apostrophe ONLY in a contraction.

If it's not a contraction of "it is" just spell it as "its".

[SharonAnn]

4. "it's" is a contraction of "it is". Use it where you could use "it is".

Otherwise use "its"

[NewHampshireDem]

5. 'Its' is possesive, 'it's' is the contraction of "it is"

An easy way to remember is that "hers," "his," and "theirs" (along with "its") are all possesives that lack an apostrophe.

[tuvor]

6. Okay, we've proved our worth. Bring on another one!

Give us all ya got!!

[SlackJawedYokel]

7. Stabbing at it.

"Its" is the possessive of it.
"It's" is a contraction of "it is".

But don't quote me.

Cletus.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

8. Well, it's quite simple.

Meaning, it is quite simple. Your question amazes me with its simplicity. You see, it's is a contraction of it is. the word "its," sans contraction, refers to a particular noun, as in "the Bush economic policy, on its face, is flawed." See?

[SmokingJacket]

9. No, no, NO!!! You're all totally wrong!

You use "it's" when you're referring to the future tense, or if you intend the gerundive meaning. And you use "its" when...

Oh, just kidding.

[ZombieNixon]

10. So simple, everyone should know it.

"Its" is used when referring to a possessive adjective that modifies a dative noun following the past imperfect form of a helping verb.

"It's" is used in the opposite sense, when referring to a non-possessive adjective, and sometimes and adverb that affect the genitive or accusative noun cases that precede a future pluperfect of an action verb.

If neither of these cases occurrs, flip a coin and go by that.























Kidding, of course.

"It's" means "it is" e.g. "It's blue pain" as in "the paint is blue"
"Its" means "belonging to it" e.g. "It's blue paint" as in "Damn it, that person who might be a man or a woman (I can't tell from this distance) got its blue paint all over me!"

:D

[hickman1937]

12. Now, Please, explain

the differance between except and accept. And irregardless, and regardless. Thank You ahead.

[ZombieNixon]

13. "Except" = not including.

"Accept" = Thank very much, put my jewelry down so that I may take it back before I shoot you in the foot and call the police.

"Irregardless" = regardless. The American Heritage Dictionary euphemistcally describes "irregardless" as "non-standard," which is code for "It's not a word, assholes! Stop using it!"

El Grammadero shrinks back into his cave, having rendered his widsom upon the world...

Edited for spelling. Hey, I'm the grammar police, not the spelling cop! Leave me alone!

[Kali]

14. and don't you hate when

affect and effect are used incorrectly. And back in the stoner days we used to like to discuss the difference between perpective and perception.

[ZombieNixon]

17. It effects me in a very bad way,

and by that, I mean that I don't like the affect it has on me.

;)

[MrSandman]

19. I have an expansive affect...

Thank you very much.

:party:

[Left Is Write]

22. One of my peeves is the incorrect use of

"much" many "many", "less" and "fewer", and "amount" and "number".

Actually, now that I see it in print, I guess that would make THREE peeves. :D

[lizzieforkerry]

24. Irregardless is my biggest pet peeve!!!

And supposably- I am amazed by how many people pronounce it this way!!

[Karenina]

11. Now that you have 10 responses

don't EVER make that idiotic mistake again!!! :spank:

[unblock]

15. it's been interesting following this thread and its responses

note that "it's" can also be a contraction for "it has".

[Malikshah]

16. I gotta harder one... When to use "That" vs. when to use "Which"?

I HATE the choice.

[ZombieNixon]

20. Or when to use "that" vs. when to use "who."

I don't think it's that hard ("who" goes with people, "that" goes with...not-people), but people mix 'em up all the time.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

21. This one is a little harder to explain.

Which, who, what, when, where, why, how, etc., are interrogatives. Use them in questions.

That, this, those, these, etc., are demonstratives. Use them in statements.

Then there are two other cases. In a descriptive but paranthetical phrase (one that gives information not totally necessary, like I am using right now), ALWAYS use the interrogative.

In a descriptive phrase that tells something necessary and specific, use the demonstrative.

See the sentence above. Note I said "In a descriptive phrase THAT tells something necessary and specific...."

Now compare that to "In a descriptive phrase WHICH tells something necessary and specific...."

Can you "hear" the difference? If you can train your ear appropriately, it won't be difficult anymore.

Best of luck to you!

[Kali]

25. um,

you gave this rule (WHICH I didn't remember):

"Then there are two other cases. In a descriptive but paranthetical phrase (one that gives information not totally necessary, like I am using right now), ALWAYS use the interrogative."


Yet in your parenthetical you used THAT, demonstrative.

[yellowdogintexas]

26. Write the sentence using all the "that's" you think you need.

Then read it out loud, leaving them out. If it makes perfect sense without the "that" you did not need it in the first place

[Kali]

18. the way I remember

is that "its", possesive is an exception. That is, if something belongs to "it" you DON'T use the apostrophe, however if it belongs to anybody else you DO use the apostrophe. As for when "it's" is a contraction of "it is" you use it the same as when you use it for don't won't can't etc...clear?

sorry.

[pintobean]

23. Here's a site that may help.

http://www.bartelby.com/
There are resources in the drop down menus on the right side of the page.

[jdonaldball]

27. Example: "Cousin It has lost Its hat. So, now it's lost."