Its

While we're on the letter I, how about we all learn from the mistake I made on my original "ironic" post. It's a common mistake, and one that pains me when I see it in print - but it is also a very easy mistake to make; when do you use an apostrophe with the word 'its'?

'It's' is correct when used as a contraction for 'it is' or 'it has'.
Example: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. (it is)
It's been a long time. (it has, hasn't it? Why, yes. It has)

'It's' is not correct when used to try to show possession.
Example: What does that dog have in it's mouth? (incorrect)
That dog has a chicken in its mouth! (correct . . . in, oh, so many ways)

'Its' is already a possessive pronoun (it modifies a noun, makes it part of something else, if you will) just like his, hers, ours, and theirs. If you're ever confused about whether or not you should throw an apostrophe in for good measure, substitute the word 'its' with 'his' - no way you can mess that up . . . unless you're typing really fast (with all four fingers) and speed-read-spell/grammar-checking afterwards. Sheesh kninsa, bust my chops, whydon'cha?

That dog has a chicken in hi's mouth! (See, you wouldn't do that. That
would be ridiculous.)

Got it? Good. Me too. We all promise to never make that mistake again.