It's, Its', Its

[StageLeft]

OK can somebody explain when to use all these, or are the latter two never right?

Correct: That car is fast. it's got a v12 engine.

When do I use its' or its? Is there in fact any appropriate time? I thought I knew when to use its' but now I hear that it is never right!

"It's going to get hot in here." <- is that correct? There is no ownership of anything so that is why I wonder...

 

It's is equvalent to "it is" or "it has" or "it was"
Its shows ownership

i don't think its' is grammatically possible...but i could be wrong

 

[Tauren]

<< It's is equvalent to "it is" or "it has" or "it was"
Its shows ownership

i don't think its' is grammatically possible...but i could be wrong >>




I agree.

 

[RedRooster]

Are you trying to become some kind of grammar genius?? You seem to be posting alot about grammar related issues. lol

I agree with the other fellows.

 

[Tauren]

Its' is possesive plural.

[edit] which is not possible [/edit]

 

[khtm]

The easiest way I remember, is that whenever I want to say "It is", I use "It's". All other times I use "Its"

-khtm-

 

[huanaku]

it's got a v12 engine.

That's like saying "It HAS got a v12 engine" that's why you use the '

It's going to get hot in here

"It IS going to get hot in here" that's why you use the '

I'm not sure about the exact uses though

 

[thebestMAX]

It's - a contraction for it is.
Its' - a possesive although the use of the apostrophe is now passe.

The way I think of them and use them. Hope this is a little help.

 

[Optimus]

I think its' strange that it's usage bothers you so much, isn't its?

 

[StageLeft]

This flies in the face of all I've ever known. I'm still unsure!

 

[Koeppster]

You choice is really between its and it's. I've never seen its'.

its = possessive
it's = contraction for "it is"

 

[CuriousAndy]

it he she they you i we
it's he's she's they're you're i'm we're
its his her their your my our
its' there is no such thing IMO

get the point?

ex) you ate your food
the dog ate its food

~andy

 

[thebestMAX]

<<This flies in the face of all I've ever known. I'm still unsure! >>

This from someone who uses EH? in 27 different ways.

Dont get mad, just joking.

 

[kranky]

Use the rule khtm mentioned. That works.

 

[Thrillhou]

<<
Correct: That car is fast. it's got a v12 engine.

>>



No that is not correct. Read the following:

It is got a V12 engine.

That doesn't make sense, right? Well that is basically what you are saying in your correct sentence.

By the way, neither of the following is correct:

It's got a V12 engine.
Its got a V12 engine.

The correct way to say it is:

It has a V12 engine.

Also in response to a previous reply, it's is in no way an abbreviation for it and has.

 

[CuriousAndy]

<< It is got a V12 engine.

That doesn't make sense, right? Well that is basically what you are saying in your correct sentence.

By the way, neither of the following is correct:

It's got a V12 engine.
Its got a V12 engine.

The correct way to say it is:

it has got a V12 engine >>



wrong IT'S is also a contraction for IT HAS, not only IT IS

ex) He's got the problem = He has got the problem

~andy

 

[neovan]

<< It's is equvalent to "it is" or "it has" or "it was"
Its shows ownership

i don't think its' is grammatically possible...but i could be wrong >>


i agree with this one!

 

[CuriousAndy]

from dictionary.com. This conversation is now over

its (ts)
adj. The possessive form of it.
Used as a modifier before a noun: The airline canceled its early flight to New York.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Alteration of it's : it + -'s.]
Usage Note: Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it and is correctly written without an apostrophe. It should not be confused with the contraction it's (for it is or it has), which should always have an apostrophe

~andy

 

[mesonw]

Yeah jntdesign was right (Edit: which doesn't mean to say others weren't )).

The apostrophe is used when letters are missing (hence "contraction").
For example.... crash n burn should be crash 'n' burn.

Its' being possessive plural makes it unusable as It can't be plural.

Its shows ownership - but if you're talking about nouns, an apostrophe is used... eg. the book's cover.

 

[Adul]

Didn't think that It's could mean It has, nor do I ever seen it's has it was. It's just a tad bit confusing since its contraction should only mean it is.

How's that for confusing?

 

[StageLeft]

OK thank you guys. Now i think I know for sure and for real this time

So basically "its" is the one to use unless it is/it has is the case in which I will use it's.
it's a good thing to know!

thebestmax

If I knew what using EH was in 27 different ways perhaps I could then take offense?

See, if I was ever taught any real grammar in school I'd know this. All I know is from reading since I hated what little grammer they did teach us :|

 

[Thrillhou]

<<
wrong IT'S is also a contraction for IT HAS, not only IT IS

ex) He's got the problem = He has got the problem

~andy >>



It's sad to think that this is what most people think is right. What a sorry education system our country has got.

 

[mesonw]

I remember being taught at school (about 18yrs ago) that its was it's (as in "look at it's beard")

Things have changed since though - although I've no idea when - unless of course my school was wrong in the first place

 

[CuriousAndy]

<< It's sad to think that this is what most people think is right. What a sorry education system our country has got. >>



Dude, check it out yourself @ dictionary.com

Who's wrong? The whole sorry education system of our country or you? :frown:

 

[StageLeft]

mesonw

That is where I got the idea that "it's got a big engine" was right and I was sure it was. Moogotmilk's link has it - and I KNOW that I was supposed to apostraphe after his name