Grammar and Language Workbook

Troubleshooter 43

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Troubleshooter

PROBLEM 5

Confusion between its and it’s

apos The old tree was the last to lose it’s leaves.

apos Its the best CD I have ever heard them put out.

SOLUTION

The old tree was the last to lose its leaves.

It’s the best CD I have ever heard them put out.

Use an apostrophe to form the contraction of it is.The possessive of the

personal pronoun it does not take an apostrophe.

More help with apostrophes

and possessives is available in

Lessons 11 and 80.

Need

More

Help?

SOLUTION

The poster is hers, but the magazine is theirs.

Do not use apostrophes with possessive personal pronouns.