# "its" v. "it's" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 13, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918 "2015-03-13T16:29:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/21 "2015-03-13T22:01:07Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Except when you mean the possessive rather than the contraction. Then you just say “the doodad belonging to it”. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/22 "2015-03-13T22:04:37Z")
Typing is different than writing and has little to do with knowing the differences which everyone does since it’s taught early in every school and more to do with mistakes, habits or being in a hurry but only grammar nazi’s care and get themselves all riled up over it. If you can understand the intended meaning, which obviously grammar nazi’s do or they wouldn’t complain, then the important aspect of communication has been established. Most texts are used for communicating and not professionally. This isn’t a real world issue, it’s a mental one. To let such things bother you is to let others control you. I have the power to influence a complete strangers emotions such as rage in certain people by simply mispelling or misusing words…now that’s power. So all of you grammar nazi’s, are you really going to let others control your emotions like that? ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/23 "2015-03-13T22:38:22Z")
> [@HeXen](#): > > Typing is different than writing and has little to do with knowing the differences which everyone does since it’s taught early in every school and more to do with mistakes, habits or being in a hurry but only grammar nazi’s care and get themselves all riled up over it. If you can understand the intended meaning, which obviously grammar nazi’s do or they wouldn’t complain, then the important aspect of communication has been established. Most texts are used for communicating and not professionally. > > This isn’t a real world issue, it’s a mental one. To let such things bother you is to let others control you. I have the power to influence a complete strangers emotions such as rage in certain people by simply mispelling or misusing words…now that’s power. So all of you grammar nazi’s, are you really going to let others control your emotions like that? You’re right. Your post just induced, at least for this reader, slight but definitely significant feelings of sadness and nausea. I may have even winced once or twice. To think, even though I’m an experienced and -dare I say?- accomplished grammar nazi, all it took was one insulting and awkwardly written little note to have forced me into a belief that you are an idiot. Oh, to again have the control you’ve so rudely wrested from me! Alas, I yield to your communicative mastery… ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/24 "2015-03-13T22:45:37Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Single apostrophe. ’ > Married apostrophe. ; > Same sex marriage apostrophe : > Conjoined apostrophes " > Dead apostrophe , > Opal apostrophe ‘’’ > Tinfoil hat apostrophe ^ > > Apostrophe appreciation week Apostrophe on drugs of questionable legality % Apostrophe after eating Taco Bell ! ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/25 "2015-03-13T22:49:11Z")
It sucks that" it has" and" it is" are both “it’s”, its like English is hard or something. Spell checker and grammar checker both let that go by with out a thought. Haha its funny because it’s true ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/26 "2015-03-13T23:15:24Z")
[quote=“Boyo\_Jim, post:15, topic:714918”] > [@OffByOne](#): > > If you do not know how the difference between “its” and “it’s”, just stop using the apostrophe. > > …QUOTE] > > This is a silent plea for help. isn’t it? Don’t get me started on people who fuck up quotes. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/27 "2015-03-13T23:51:11Z")
[Obligatory](http://eloquentscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/angry-flower-guide-to-its.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/28 "2015-03-15T02:17:53Z")
Has anybody used the grammar checker at [Grammarly: Free Writing AI Assistance](https://www.grammarly.com/1) ? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/29 "2015-03-15T02:52:56Z")
> [@OffByOne](#): > > If you do not know how the difference between “its” and “it’s”, just stop using the apostrophe. Wrong. If you do not know the difference between “its” and “it’s”, stop using the words “its” and “it’s”. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/30 "2015-03-15T02:55:23Z")
I solved this years ago. It’s\*\* its’\*\* in every circumstance. Or maybe I should say, “its’ **its’** in every circumstance.” See, its’ benefit is that its’ going to keep everyone unhappy. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/31 "2015-03-15T02:57:40Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Except when you mean the possessive rather than the contraction. Unless you’ve been contracted to write the script for a new Addams family movie how often do you use the possessive form of it? ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/32 "2015-03-15T03:01:47Z")
Irregardless, for all intensive purposes my friends and myself could care less if we flaunt some stupid rules alot. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/33 "2015-03-15T05:35:50Z")
per say, and sick. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/34 "2015-03-15T12:04:53Z")
> [@Nayna](#): > > But why is a missing apostrophe better than an unnecessary apostrophe? not typing an apostrophe could be construed as just internet speak not bothering with proper formatting putting an apostrophe where it doesn’t belong just shows you don’t know the rule ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/35 "2015-03-15T12:22:14Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > It’s the crux of the biscuit! I think it’s plain to see. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/36 "2015-03-15T12:25:06Z")
> [@HeXen](#): > > . . . grammar nazi’s . . . I see what you did there (though I fear you didn’t do it in jest). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/37 "2015-03-15T12:25:24Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > [Obligatory](http://eloquentscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/angry-flower-guide-to-its.gif) I thought the link would be to this. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq1SZrZbRMA) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/38 "2015-03-15T12:45:18Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Irregardless, for all intensive purposes my friends and myself could care less if we flaunt some stupid rules alot. So you’re saying it’s a mute point. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/39 "2015-03-15T16:00:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Unless you’ve been contracted to write the script for a new Addams family movie how often do you use the possessive form of it? Fairly frequently. It’s handy for describing the attributes of an inanimate object. If I’m discussing my house, I can say that its roof is 25 years old and it may be time for a new one, and it would be nice if its living room were a little bigger. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918/40 "2015-03-15T16:06:45Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Has anybody used the grammar checker at [Grammarly: Free AI Writing Assistance](https://www.grammarly.com/1) > ? No, but it looks like I can finish my novel now. Thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-v-its/714918.md?page=3)