[Image credit: Stuart Miles]
Last week I read a list of common grammar pet peeves circulating over the Internet and I shared the link on my Facebook timeline. One of the irritations in question highlighted the use of its and it’s. Although grammar has never been my strong suit (just ask my peers in my ASU writing workshops), the incorrect usage of the apostrophe in this instance irks me. An easy way to remember the appropriate use of it’s is that an apostrophe shortens two words into one. For example, don’t replaces do not and wasn’t for was not. This same rule holds true when we use the word it’s — it is simply an abbreviated version of the two words in question. Its, on the other hand, tells the reader it belongs to someone or something. Its lack of an apostrophe indicates possession. Whose lack? Its. It’s not as hard as it looks. Is it?
What is the most aggravating grammar faux pas in your book?
Always The Write Time Blog 
Feb 04, 2012 @ 15:07:51
It and it’s was one of my pet peeves. I and me is another one! Examples: 1) “Sue and me went out to lunch.” WRONG! 2) “Please let Sue and I know what time to meet you for lunch.” WRONG! If you remove the “Sue and,” you would write 1) “I went out to lunch.” 2) “Please let me know…” It’s really so EASY! 🙂
Feb 04, 2012 @ 16:45:52
The good old apostrophe is the main annoyance for me too. My wife has a campaign about the inappropriate usage and by association it has become one of mine too. There are too many people who don’t have a clue how to use it. The number of shop owners who put one on ‘Apple’s 30p a pound’
It isn’t difficult at all, though I sometimes forget and get it wrong. When I’m writing I check and double check.
Feb 04, 2012 @ 17:37:05
The “your welcome” thing drives me crazy. I keep telling my husband (who frequently commits that misdemeanor) that it is “you’re welcome”! Of course, maybe that’s why he keeps doing it…