# Possessive acronyms

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 17, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052 "2012-04-17T15:46:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052/21 "2012-06-16T19:01:59Z")

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> [@dstarfire](#):
>
> If you use an apostrophe in posessives AND ‘-is’ contractions, how do you tell the difference?
> 
> For example, does the phrase “That company really knows it’s sh\*\*,” mean they’re really knowledgeable about their profession, or that they have some serious self-esteem issues?

You just don’t use apostrophes like that.

“That company really knows it’s shit” = “That company is aware it is low quality”.  
“That company really knows its shit” = “That company is rather knowledgeable”.

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**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:** [June 16, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052/22 "2012-06-16T19:09:37Z")

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> [@StephenG](#):
>
> The word “its” is an exception to the rule . . .

Pronouns in general are exceptions, unless you use “your’s, hi’s, her’s, our’s, their’s, etc.”

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**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052/23 "2012-06-16T23:57:13Z")

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> [@panache45](#):
>
> Pronouns in general are exceptions, unless you use “your’s, hi’s, her’s, our’s, their’s, etc.”

You mean you don’t? 😕

j/k

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**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:** [June 18, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessive-acronyms/619052/24 "2012-06-18T06:54:18Z")

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> [@Johanna](#):
>
> You mean you don’t? 😕
> 
> j/k

(I sincerely hope this is a whoosh)

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