Language question- can an object be possesive?

[apac]

"The directory and it's contents"

vs

"The directory and its contents"

Which is correct? This case has always confused me.

 

[blackdogdeek]

its

it's = it + is

 

[apac]

So if I were to rephrase the line to "The directory's contents" would the apostrophe would be correct in that case?

 

[abaez]

Yes.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: apac
So if I were to rephrase the line to "The directory's contents" would the apostrophe would be correct in that case?

Yes. the apostrophe signals possession. The big exception is the word it.

It's = it is
Its = ownership

 

[BoomerD]

"The directory and its contents"
This is correct.

as others have posted, it's means it is/it has.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu...mmar/notorious/its.htm

 

[apac]

Thanks

 

[MegaVovaN]

Good grammar is hot.

 

[SunnyD]

The English Language and Microsoft share something in common: Lack of attention to standards.

 

[TallBill]

Yes.

 

[manowar821]

It's = It is...

BUT! "The car's headlights..." is also correct.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

"It" can denote a creature or being of indeterminate gender.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
"It" can denote a creature or being of indeterminate gender.

What's that? It's Pat! It's time for androgyny!

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: manowar821
It's = It is...

BUT! "The car's headlights..." is also correct.

Not sure what that has to do with the subject at hand, but yes, you're right.

In your example: car's, you're indicating the headlights "belong" to the car, and posessive is indicated with the apostrophe. Now, if it were the headlights of multiple cars, then the proper way would be to say "cars' headlights," indicating the possessive of many cars...

 

[manowar821]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: manowar821
It's = It is...

BUT! "The car's headlights..." is also correct.

Not sure what that has to do with the subject at hand, but yes, you're right.

In your example: car's, you're indicating the headlights "belong" to the car, and posessive is indicated with the apostrophe. Now, if it were the headlights of multiple cars, then the proper way would be to say "cars' headlights," indicating the possessive of many cars...

Well, his topic was "can an object be possesive" but the body of his post was about "It's". I was answering both.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Click
Click
Click

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Click
Click
Click

Thanks for those. I'm gonna forward them to my English teacher. She'll get a kick out of them.