Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pedants' corner
Original poster

OK pedants - I found this interesting, a sentence where it doesn't matter if you use it's or its

40 replies

StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 13:30

I read something recently and was pedantically surprised to notice that you could replace the 'its' with 'it's' without changing the meaning of the sentence (too much). Any ideas what sort of thing it was?

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 13:31

I don't mean the thing I read (I can't remember that myself) but the sentence.
I really am on pedantry thin ice.

OP posts:
georgimama · 19/02/2009 13:36

No idea how that could work, I was struggling to guess what it would be when I clicked on the thread, in fact I was looking forward to pointing out that it did matter because it changed the meaning!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 13:39

I'm glad it's not obvious!
I read it on the underside of... a thing... and now I can't remember what it was. It was annoying me, and I was going to come on here to ask for suggestions, when I came up with an example myself. I don't think it's as good as the one I saw though, wish I could remember what it was!
The example I have in mind relies on the same word being used as a noun and an adjective.

OP posts:
ellingwoman · 19/02/2009 13:46

Something like this?
It's breathing - means it's alive.
Its breathing means it's alive.

georgimama · 19/02/2009 13:48

oohh elling that's clever.

ellingwoman · 19/02/2009 13:49
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 13:58

That's very clever elling, and much quicker than it took me.
But - you do need the dash in one and not in the other. So you get a 9/10

OP posts:
ellingwoman · 19/02/2009 14:36

Darn - must try harder...

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:00

No one else got any ideas? I knew this would flop! (apart from you elling and georgi, thank you for joining in)

OP posts:
muddleduck · 19/02/2009 15:12

It's too hard!
My head hurts.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:17
Smile
OP posts:
georgimama · 19/02/2009 15:18

We need to use a noun which is also an adjective - like "green".

georgimama · 19/02/2009 15:24

OK, what about this? Sudden flash of topical inspiration!!!

"what is the best thing about Pendants' Corner? It's posters!"

What is the best thing about Pendants' Corner? Its posters!"

YAY ME!!!!!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:24

yep...

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 19/02/2009 15:29

Ooh, I've got my poor old nearly-senile dad trying to fathom this one...I've said I'll call him back in an hour. He used to be such a demon pedant too; this might get some rusty cogs going!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:29

ooh that's really good.
Except posters is a plural noun.
And it's a single standalone sentence I'm thinking of.

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:30

BoF - I hope I'm right then, or I'm going to name change and never return to Pedants' Corner again

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:31

georgie
You are right
"It is posters" would be correct. "It are posters" makes no sense

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 19/02/2009 15:33

And you said "pendants" anyway!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:35

Did I? Where? I always get paranoid about that!

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 19/02/2009 15:36

Georgie, sorry!

georgimama · 19/02/2009 15:39

Can't do it in one sentence! Brain won't work that hard.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2009 15:56

No, it wouldn't work, would it, I am talking rubbish

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 19/02/2009 16:13

My dad has`got one, I think!

I can see its light at the end of the tunnel

I can see it's light at the end of the tunnel

Is that right ?

ellingwoman · 19/02/2009 16:16

That's good