Apostrophe

iCraig

iCraig

iCraig

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I've always considered my English skills to be quite good, but recently I've been questioning my own use of the common apostrophe. I used to think I understood the rules of it's usage, but now — after seeing it used in different ways on professional sources — I'm not so sure.

Firstly: It's.

I believe this to be the abbreviation of it is. However, in a sentence in Microsoft Word (Set to UK) it automatically "corrects" me by removing the apostrophe and leaves me with the following sentence: "Its not fair."

I'm sure that that's wrong, but can a true grammar Nazi confirm for me?

The second one is an apostrophe to symbol a belonging to someone or something. I.e. Craig's phone.

Now, that's simple enough but when the name ends in S, people don't do that and simply stick the apostrophe after the name, i.e Ross' phone, instead of Ross's phone.

Now, I always thought that the apostrophe outside of the name was to show multiple belongings to something. Like for example The Dragons' Den. The den that belongs to the Dragons and there is more than one of them.

Am I still right, or wrong?
 
It's The Dragon's Den if there is one dragon. Otherwise it belongs to a plural, and would technically be Dragons's Den, Hence why the last "s" is removed but the apostraphe remains.

With regards to "it's"... it's = it is.
Its = belongs to it.
 
I've always assumed that the apostrophe was there in place of a missing letter or word eg. It is, shortened is It's or have not shortened to haven't.

you dont put an apostrophe in someones name because you are not replacing anything eg. craigs ball not craig's ball

thats what ive always thought!!

jen x
 
Jenie said:
I've always assumed that the apostrophe was there in place of a missing letter or word eg. It is, shortened is It's or have not shortened to haven't.

you dont put an apostrophe in someones name because you are not replacing anything eg. craigs ball not craig's ball

thats what ive always thought!!

jen x
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Nope, that's one use, but it's also used to indicate possession, except in the case of "its".


EDIT:
Badger is correct in everything he said there.
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Yay, 18 year old grammar nazis for the win! :D
 
LOL how about this for timing.

My missus just sent me a text and part of it read:

"my crisp's have gone everywhere!"

:rolleyes: :o
 
iCraig said:
I believe this to be the abbreviation of it is. However, in a sentence in Microsoft Word (Set to UK) it automatically "corrects" me by removing the apostrophe and leaves me with the following sentence: "Its not fair."
Click to expand...
The incorrect use of its and it's in Word is a known bug, it's been like that for a while.
 
iCraig said:
I've always considered my English skills to be quite good, but recently I've been questioning my own use of the common apostrophe. I used to think I understood the rules of it's usage, but now — after seeing it used in different ways on professional sources — I'm not so sure.

Firstly: It's.

I believe this to be the abbreviation of it is. However, in a sentence in Microsoft Word (Set to UK) it automatically "corrects" me by removing the apostrophe and leaves me with the following sentence: "Its not fair."

I'm sure that that's wrong, but can a true grammar Nazi confirm for me?

The second one is an apostrophe to symbol a belonging to someone or something. I.e. Craig's phone.

Now, that's simple enough but when the name ends in S, people don't do that and simply stick the apostrophe after the name, i.e Ross' phone, instead of Ross's phone.

Now, I always thought that the apostrophe outside of the name was to show multiple belongings to something. Like for example The Dragons' Den. The den that belongs to the Dragons and there is more than one of them.

Am I still right, or wrong?
Click to expand...

LMAO - Read your post again, specifically your definition of 'It's' to mean, 'It is', then read the second line of your OP. :D
 
iCraig said:
I've always considered my English skills to be quite good, but recently I've been questioning my own use of the common apostrophe. I used to think I understood the rules of it's usage, but now — after seeing it used in different ways on professional sources — I'm not so sure.

Firstly: It's.

I believe this to be the abbreviation of it is. However, in a sentence in Microsoft Word (Set to UK) it automatically "corrects" me by removing the apostrophe and leaves me with the following sentence: "Its not fair."

I'm sure that that's wrong, but can a true grammar Nazi confirm for me?
Click to expand...
You are right. Except to add that it's can also mean "it has".
 
iCraig said:
However, in a sentence in Microsoft Word (Set to UK) it automatically "corrects" me by removing the apostrophe and leaves me with the following sentence: "Its not fair."
Click to expand...


My version of Word doesn't do that (2003). It makes a grammar recommendation that "It's not fair" becomes "It is not fair".
 
Samtheman1k said:
My version of Word doesn't do that (2003). It makes a grammar recommendation that "It's not fair" becomes "It is not fair".
Click to expand...
That is quite impressive. It is true that while it is okay to say "it's" in speech, it is more proper to write it as "it is" in formal writing.
 
dirtydog said:
That is quite impressive. It is true that while it is okay to say "it's" in speech, it is more proper to write it as "it is" in formal writing.
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IIRC, the grammar checker can be customised for formal, casual, technical etc. content.
 
it's and its is not as difficult to master as "was" and have been"

I was shopping

I have been shopping.

There is a difference! :D
 
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