Monday, February 28, 2011

Quote of the Day

The confusion of the possessive "its" (no apostrophe) with the contractive "it's" (with apostrophe) is an unequivocal signal of illiteracy and sets off a simple Pavlovian "kill" response in the average stickler.

--Lynn Truss

From my Page-A-Day calendar that has excerpts from Eats, Shoots & Leaves.

Apparently, I am the average stickler. You don't want to be around when I see that someone has used the wrong "its" or "it's."

8 comments:

Bekah said...

I'm with you, sister!!!!

Malott said...

I love it!

But it's very humbling because I must admit ignorance... My grammar and my spelling improve a little every year.

I'm hoping to one day conquer affect and effect... and perfect my I's and my me's.shili

Malott said...

note: The "shili" at the end of my comment was my "word verification" typed in the wrong spot... Just so you won't ponder it for an hour.

SkyePuppy said...

Chris,

After pondering for about 30 seconds, I figured out the shili.

I can give you the rules for affect and effect. I've got those down. Or I can let you stumble your way into them on your own so you don't have to be told rules by a girl. Up to you.

CG said...

And then there's ensure and insure. I remember you explaining the difference but I still can't tell them apart. You have a good brain for those subtleties.

SkyePuppy said...

CG,

OK, we'll try it again.

You ENsure THAT something happens (ie, make sure that it happens). You INsure AGAINST something happening.

Chances are good you have fire insurance (notice the "in"). You aren't making sure you have a fire. That would be ENsuring. No, you're INsuring against a fire, or providing in case it happens but you hope it doesn't.

I hope that helps.

Note: No unions were involved in the posting of this teaching moment.

Anonymous said...

Oh, geez, Mom. I don't see why your making such a fuss. Just because they're English isn't the best, it doesn't mean their illiterate. :P

SkyePuppy said...

My darling daughter, don't make me hurt you!