The "it's/its" example below is not a good one, to be honest. It is one
of the exceptions to the rules.
The apostrophe is used to show a missing letter (or letters), as in "you
are" becoming "you're" in the other example. However, it is also used
to show the possessive form ... "Jon's OM-2n is an excellent camera".
With "it" there is some confusion. When shortening "it is" to "it's"
the apostrophe indicates the removed letter / space. However, when "it"
is the owner of the OM-2n, the apostrophe is NOT used to show possession
.... "its OM-2n is an excellent camera" NOT "it's OM-2n is an excellent
camera".
Definitely putting my tin-opener away now,
Jon ;-)
PS: Chris .... HELP !!
-----Original Message-----
From: olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Bernard Frangoulis
Sent: 06 June 2005 22:11
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Re: [OT] English Language misuse !
>OK, for the rest of the world, the on-screen message says "Your
>listening to Coldplay Live and Exclusive on Radio 1".
>
>A small, yet important, error.
Yes, this error is becoming ubiquitous, and is seen even on this list
(as are the "you're"/"your" and "it's/its"errors). Shocking even for
a non-native English speaker such as myself. And very odd actually,
because I feel that at least part of those who commit it are fully
aware of the distinction between "your" and "you are". You can
encounter this spelling in a long and otherwise perfectly spelt text
providing many more opportunities to to maim the language ;-)
Bernard
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|