Essays

THE CASE OF ITS V. IT'S

The confusion between its and it's seems to have reached epidemic proportions in the last few years, whether in quality advertising, slick magazines, various newsletters, reputable newspapers, as well as on numerous billboards. The apostrophe is used much more often than is correctly required. I don't know about you, but it's (or its?) bothered me for some time
The problem doesn't seem to be when to insert an apostrophe, but when to omit it. It lies with not knowing the difference between a contraction (it's) -- which is a short cut for it is or it has--, and a possessive pronoun (its), which indicates that something belongs to someone or with something else.

Whenever you wonder whether to use its or it's, just ask yourself the following question: Would the sentence have the same meaning if I replaced it's with "it is" or "it has"? If the answer is yes, the apostrophe can stay. If the answer is no, remove it. For instance, how would this sound: "I don't want this book because it is edges are frayed?" Obviously, "it's" (contraction of "it is") wouldn't make sense, so it should be "its” (possessive pronoun), because you are talking about the edges of the book.

Another way to determine whether the apostrophe should be left out, that is if what you really want is the possessive pronoun (its), is to try replacing the word with another similar pronoun, such as “my”. If the sentence still makes sense, keep the apostrophe out. For instance, how would this sound: “I told you to stay out because my not safe inside.” Obviously, “it’s” (contraction of “it is”) is the correct answer, since as it reads now makes no sense at all, therefore “it” would be incorrect.

The following is a little quiz to illustrate the above and help you practice. Fill in the answer in the four examples below, and compare them to the answers provided. Once you think it through, you will always get it right.

a/ The Cotton Tree Inn is pleased to announce _____ union with Best Western International.

b/ Because of the near miss we had with the car last night, we have decided _____ time to replace _____ brakes.

c/ If a toothpick inserted in _____ center comes out clean, you know _____ time to take the cake out of the oven.

d/ _____ too late to start worrying about _____ destination now.

For those who have similar problems with "your" and "you're", “their” and “they’re” and the like -- all cases of the difference between a possessive pronoun and a sound-alike contraction --, just follow the above principles which apply to all these examples.

Since there is no longer any excuse for such offensive misuse of the humble apostrophe, let's all go now, and sin no more.

Answers: a/ = its b/ = it's and its c/ = its and it's d/ = it's and its

Sunbirds v. Snowbirds
Letter to the Naples Daily News Editor
Published in the Sunday paper in April 2015

At this time of the year when we, once again, say goodbye to the snowbirds, I would like to introduce the new word of “sunbirds” to our language.

Snowbirds are based and rooted in a northern state and choose to escape to Florida for one to three months, either in rentals or condos they own as investments. Their stay is similar to an extended vacation, their time spent in leisure and relaxation, away from the rigors of northern winters and the responsibilities of a committed lifestyle.

Sunbirds, on the other hand, are official residents of the state of Florida and vote here, having, if not their roots, at least many links to an active life in our state for up to eight months. We just go north to escape the hottest months, just as some of the full-timers travel northwards or overseas, to seek the same relief.

Speaking for myself, I mind being placed by full-timers in the same category as snowbirds. Unlike snowbirds, sunbirds create ties with people through commitments of time, energy and money to organizations, clubs, churches, creative endeavors and volunteering.

Our daily life, also, is made more challenging by the increased seasonal traffic. We go north to escape the hottest months, just as some of the full-timers travel northwards or overseas, to seek the same relief.

We therefore become engaged in living in our state and not just soaking up the rays while playing golf. When we spend seven to eight months of the year somewhere, we aren’t just vacationing visitors who are welcome mostly because of how much they momentarily contribute to the economy.

We are concerned; we are committed; we are invested; we are engaged. We belong. Just like full-timers.

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