It's official. Around here, Wednesdays aren't just Wednesdays any more. They're Words Days.
My Wednesday posts are now devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
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My Wednesday posts are now devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
*****
GRAMMAR LESSON #1: "IT'S VS. ITS"
The rule:
The easiest way to get this one right is to remember that the apostrophe in "it's" is there in place of a letter or letters. If you're saying "it is," the apostrophe replaces the "i." If you're saying "it has," it replaces the "h" and the "a." So if you mean to say either "it is" or "it has," use "it's." If not, use "its."
Some examples:
Bonus points:
So there you have it. My first attempt to prove that grammar doesn't need to be a four-letter word. How'd I do? Let me know in the comments. And if there's anything you'd like to see in a future Words Day Wednesday, let me know that, too.
Sarah
The rule:
The easiest way to get this one right is to remember that the apostrophe in "it's" is there in place of a letter or letters. If you're saying "it is," the apostrophe replaces the "i." If you're saying "it has," it replaces the "h" and the "a." So if you mean to say either "it is" or "it has," use "it's." If not, use "its."
Some examples:
- It's not surprising that Sarah started this feature, considering what a word nerd she is.
- A true word nerd always shares its knowledge.
- It's been a long time since I last studied grammar.
- Knowing grammar and its rules helps you to be a better writer.
- It's a well-known fact that roosters don't lay eggs.
- A wise hen does not count its chicks before they are hatched.
Bonus points:
- "It's" is a contraction of either "it is" or "it has."
- "Its" is a possessive adjective meaning "of or belonging to it."
So there you have it. My first attempt to prove that grammar doesn't need to be a four-letter word. How'd I do? Let me know in the comments. And if there's anything you'd like to see in a future Words Day Wednesday, let me know that, too.
Sarah