over_cloxJan 1, 2025

With modern technology and autocorrect and all, does anyone actually remember the proper rules of the use of the apostrophe in the words its versus it's?

https://lemmy.world/post/23760959

With modern technology and autocorrect and all, does anyone actually remember the proper rules of the use of the apostrophe in the words its versus it's? - Lemmy.World

Honestly I’ve done mostly forgot, and with the proliferation of AI technologies and all the typos AI has read from in the training models, I bet AI isn’t always right about this either. I usually just don’t care anymore, whether the autocorrect puts the apostrophe in or not.

Show threadcount_dongulusJan 1, 2025
Ya dumbass, it’s = it is. Apostrophe means combo.
Show threadover_cloxJan 1, 2025
Apostrophe also means possession, so why the historical nitpicky difference?
Show threadtiramichuJan 1, 2025

Apostrophe is only ever possessive when used with a noun.

Example:

“There was a stick in the dog’s mouth” <- correct, dog is a noun

The word “its* is not a noun, Instead it serves the same function of possessive pronouns like " his” or “hers” and like those words it is never in this usage written with an apostrophe:

“The dog had a stick in his mouth” <–correct

“The dog had a stick in its mouth” <-- correct

“The dog had a stick in it’s mouth” <-- wrong

In short, the ONLY rule you need to remember is that if the word “its” is short for “it is” then it should have an apostrophe, otherwise it doesn’t.

That’s all. One single rule, zero exceptions.

Show threadover_cloxJan 1, 2025

Then why does it vs it’s break all the other rules of the apostrophe?

Where’s the exact exception?

Show threadtiramichu

There is actually no exception. The confusion is because while it may seen like “it” and “it’s” are different forms of the same word, in realitethey are completely different words

he / his

her / hers

It / its

The above are all different forms of the same words.

“it’s” however is a shortening of “it is” and is a totally different independent word that (very misleadingly) happens to sound exactly the same.

Jan 1, 2025 at 10:09amWeb