Sometimes It’s “Its”

Posted on by Judy Unrein

apostropheApparently, I need to renew my P.O.E.M. membership, because I didn’t know it was National Punctuation Day yesterday until I saw something about it on Facebook (and by then it was too late at night to post again).

But it gives me the opportunity to rant about an error that I see every single day now: the confusion between “it’s” and “its” (and general bad application of apostrophes in written communication of all kinds).

I feel it’s relevant to us as IDs because our writing needs to be nearly impeccable, and I don’t know many of us who have the benefit of a copyeditor. But I’m also pleading to you as learning professionals: does anyone know of a catchy way to teach the difference between “it’s” and “its” — or do you have a shorthand that you use to remember it?

  • http://www.e-LearningUncovered.com Diane Elkins

    Don’t you mean ID’s? (hehe). Seriously, one way to remember the difference between it’s and its is to thing about he’s and his. Most people don’t get that one confused. If you’d use an apostrophe with “he,” then you’d use it with “it” in the same context.

  • Judy Unrein

    Hehe, Diane — ID’s vs IDs is serious tomato/tomahtoe territory! =) And I’m comfortable with my non-use of apostrophes in the pluralization of acronyms, but I still went looking on the Internet and found a grammar site with a poll. I could while away some serious time with this stuff. http://www.usingenglish.com/poll/85.html

    I like that method and it has always worked for me. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a different one, though… and with the amount of confusion there is on this topic, I’m thinking maybe I’ll try to come up with a new one. Or sponsor a contest here… would Alcorn, Ward, & Partners care to donate at the Grammar Guru level? ;)