An actual Facebook exchange reproduced here for my own amusement, beginning with my status update:
Linda Stone cheerfully reminds you that “its” is a possessive pronoun just like “hers,” “ours,” and “yours” and requires no apostrophe. Only use the apostrophe when “it’s” is short for “it is.” Thanks for your cooperation!
Bev C., Tica T., Tom H. and 4 others like this.
Tom W. :
its no problem… 😉
Priscilla H.:
While we’re on the subject…If you mean they are, but don’t have the energy to use both words, it’s they’re. There is a place. Their is a possessive pronoun.
Their vacation home is there, but they’re not going there this summer.
Tom W.:
and on a slightly different note…
loose = the opposite of tight
lose = the opposite of win (or find)
I still have no idea why people confuse those two…
Priscilla H.:
Dave Barry used to have an occasional feature in his column called “Ask Mister Language Person”
This was my favorite, because it reminded me of Crossroads (at the time, now 12Stone).
Dear Mister Language Person: What is the purpose of the apostrophe?
Answer: The apostrophe is used mainly in hand-lettered small business signs to alert the reader that an “S” is coming up at the end of a word, as in: WE DO NOT EXCEPT PERSONAL CHECK’S, or: NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEM’S.
Another important grammar concept to bear in mind when creating hand-lettered small-business signs is that you should put quotation marks around random words for decoration, as in “TRY” OUR HOT DOG’S, or even TRY “OUR” HOT DOG’S.
Google “Tips for Writers” or “Ask Mr. Language Person” to read other articles. He’s a funny guy, that Dave Barry.
Mary H. L.:
This amuses me! Don’t even get me started on misplaced modifiers!
Mary L.:
Or your and you’re. Or their and there….gives me the shivers just thinking about the misuse of these!!!!
Linda Stone:
Tom W., thanks for point out “loose” vs. “lose”! That kills me. Priscilla, thanks for a laugh! Love DB.
Just one more from me:
“Alot” is not a word. You should ALLOT a certain amount of time each day to Facebook or you may find it sucking up A LOT of time. See, two words.
Tom H.:
Lotsa luck with that one!
Lisa J.:
My latest flair says, “I am that grammar snob about whom your mother warned you.”
Nancy B.:
I’ve noticed a common faux pas among preachers is to say, “Jesus loves you and I.” Gaaaaaah.
Of course, I could be accused of using alot a lot.
Erin H.:
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allen S.:
I just wish people could spell definite correctly.
Angie M.:
“Alot” is my pet peeve. Now I’m noticing people believing that should’ve is “should of.” Aggghhh!
Bonnie G.:
My pet peeve is accommodate/accommodation. You would not believe how many hotel folks have trouble finding the correct number of “c’s” and “m’s”. Even their printed material is wrong.
Katrina W.:
I like this discussion to. There are less people who use good judgement when writing an e-mail or posting comments on hear.
Linda Stone:
Oh, Katrina, the pain!!
Cindy G.:
ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda wrote a thing 