As an editor and copywriter, I have personal pet peeves. Words that drive me crazy, especially if used improperly. Yes, I know I’m not perfect, but no one is. Think about the irritating girl in class who used to snap her gum all the time or the “I’m not touching you” jibe your irritating little brother used to throw your way.
What works for some does not work for me. I can ignore and/or easily correct some things: a lot being spelled as one word, anyways as a word (it’s anyway, if you’re interested), or informal IM conversations that have l33t strewn throughout (LOL for example). What really burns my bacon or chaps my hide is the misuse of Your, You’re, It’s, and its. So lets discuss:
Your refers to something belonging to you. Your car needs an oil change. You left your purse in my car. Your dog is quite the yipper.
You’re refers to the contraction: you are. You’re going crazy! You’re very sure?
If the word you’re can be subsitituted with “you are”, then it needs the apostrophe.
It’s refers to the contractions: it is and it has. It is NOT used as a possessive spelling. It’s raining outside. It’s going to be a long day. It’s been a long time.
If the word it’s can be subsitituted with “it is” or “it has”, then it needs the apostrophe.
Its refers to the possessive use of it. The dog lost its will to live. The sun turned its face from the world.
Soapbox rant over.
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I’ve posted about both of these recently after being forced to read one too many in on-line fora. I sympathize utterly.