Looks like eplaya has served it's purpose

[BBadger]

I think we need to invoke some Unwelcome Education from Bob the Angry Flower on this:



Many years ago, I was puzzled by the whole apostrophe thing too. I asked an English teacher about why there is a lack of an apostrophe on "its" when it is possessive, and the reason she gave was:

• "It" is a pronoun, and just like other possessive pronouns such as "his", "her(s)", "your(s)", "their(s)" (but not "one's") there is no apostrophe attached to the word.

According to Wikipedia, the reason (excuse?) behind having no apostrophe for "one's" is that it is also an "indefinite pronoun" -- whatever the hell that means. The example they use say it's (it is) like the word "somebody's" rather than specifically a personal pronoun.

So whenever you think of "its" think of its spelling/usage in the same way as "his" and "her."

[Sham]

Is it page two yet?

Yes!

[GreyCoyote]

So I think what BBadger is saying, is this: "The essence of tyranny is not IRON punctuation, it is CAPRICIOUS punctuation."

[mgb327]

I'm sorry, just couldn't resist, it's my nature.

[theCryptofishist]

*sigh*
It was kinda of a throwaway. Yes, I can be a grammar pedant. But I actually side with Eric, we knew what he meant. And the real language is spoken, you can't tell the difference between its and it's by ear, only by context.
Sham, try this: Looks like Jesus has served hi's purpose.
(I have a dirty fondness for the greengrocer's apostrophe.)

[BBadger]

So I think what BBadger is saying, is this: "The essence of tyranny is not IRON punctuation, it is CAPRICIOUS punctuation."

Yes, this is the true tyranny of the English language (and I mean that), at least from a learning standpoint.

Still, at least the language can and does adapt over the years. Words get added, "rules" get ignored, people are call grammar Nazis, etc.

[Eric]

Still, at least the language can and does adapt over the years. Words get added, "rules" get ignored, people are called grammar Nazis, etc.

Fixed it.

In the context of this thread drift, I couldn't avoid it.

[BBadger]

Um... I meant to do that... really.

[GreyCoyote]

Um... I meant to do that... really.

Now lets have a chat about Italics...

[MyDearFriend]

Um... I meant to do that... really.

Now lets have a chat about Italics...

I don't know what you are talking about.

[Simon of the Playa]

i must admit, i do have a taste for Northern Italic Cuisine.

[Elliot]

Still, at least the language can and does adapt over the years. Words get added, "rules" get ignored, people are called grammar Nazis, etc.

Fixed it.

In the context of this thread drift, I couldn't avoid it.

Eric, I believe you just proved my point. It hurts to see such, doesn't it, even though we are capable of making out the meaning.

[Elderberry]

"it's" is only used as a contraction for "it is". "its" is the posesive form. An exception to the normal rule.

[Eric]

Still, at least the language can and does adapt over the years. Words get added, "rules" get ignored, people are called grammar Nazis, etc.

Fixed it.

In the context of this thread drift, I couldn't avoid it.

Eric, I believe you just proved my point. It hurts to see such, doesn't it, even though we are capable of making out the meaning.

Nope, actually didn't hurt at all, and I only corrected it because it was in the middle of a thread talking about correcting grammar and I thought it was funny.

Eplaya is basically a chat-room, an informal means of communication. I simply don't have a problem with people on here, or on facebook, or in other informal areas, being less formal with how they say things. There is a time & a place for everything, and I personally believe that casual online conversation can be a lot more free-form than a novel or a legal document, just like a casual spoken conversation can be less formal than a speech before Congress. We have a rich, wonderful language, it's a shame to see people going all Académie française on it and shoving it into some dead, eternal form that barely touches on modern use. If you can be understood, you're communicating, and sometimes that's good enough.

[Elderberry]

Have you ever heard some of those people that speak before Congress? Worst yet, have you ever heard some of those congressmen speak?

I think grammar and spelling are important and play a big part in not only conveying the message, but also coloring the readers opinion of the writer. No matter the level of formality.

[theCryptofishist]

Eplaya is basically a chat-room, an informal means of communication. I simply don't have a problem with people on here, or on facebook, or in other informal areas, being less formal with how they say things. There is a time & a place for everything, and I personally believe that casual online conversation can be a lot more free-form than a novel or a legal document, just like a casual spoken conversation can be less formal than a speech before Congress. We have a rich, wonderful language, it's a shame to see people going all Académie française on it and shoving it into some dead, eternal form that barely touches on modern use. If you can be understood, you're communicating, and sometimes that's good enough.

Hear hear!
Prescriptive grammarians are just prissy little busy-bodies. And yes, it was a minor, sand-in-the-shoe, irritation to see the "it's". I still agree with Eric.

[theCryptofishist]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

[tamarakay]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

Prolly

[MyDearFriend]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

Prolly

I could care less about it, really, I mean its supposably wrong but has no affect on the actual sentence.

[Elorrum]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

Prolly

I could care less about it, really, I mean its supposably wrong but has no affect on the actual sentence.

yeah, irregardless.

[ygmir]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

Prolly

I could care less about it, really, I mean its supposably wrong but has no affect on the actual sentence.

yeah, irregardless.

which begs the question: why?

[theCryptofishist]

Did no one catch this?

It was kinda of a throwaway.

Prolly

I could care less about it, really, I mean its supposably wrong but has no affect on the actual sentence.

yeah, irregardless.

Pretty much my point. (It was deliberate.)

Well, I'm chuffed no one seems to want to play Professor Higgens.

[FIGJAM]

You mean Iggens?

[theCryptofishist]

That's 'Iggins!

[ygmir]

but, but..........I misused the phrase. don't I get a lollipop?

[theCryptofishist]

For you Yggy, an all-day sucker.

[FIGJAM]

Iggen's?

[Elorrum]

I think chuffed is a neat word.

[Simon of the Playa]

yeah, i'll train 'er...

[media]

[BBadger]

Nope, actually didn't hurt at all, and I only corrected it because it was in the middle of a thread talking about correcting grammar and I thought it was funny.

I love grammar nazi reversals!

Eplaya is basically a chat-room, an informal means of communication. I simply don't have a problem with people on here, or on facebook, or in other informal areas, being less formal with how they say things. There is a time & a place for everything, and I personally believe that casual online conversation can be a lot more free-form than a novel or a legal document, just like a casual spoken conversation can be less formal than a speech before Congress. We have a rich, wonderful language, it's a shame to see people going all Académie française on it and shoving it into some dead, eternal form that barely touches on modern use. If you can be understood, you're communicating, and sometimes that's good enough.

I'm also happy that many English teachers/sites, etc. are also taking the approach that communicating is more important than ensuring that every rule is obeyed as in the old regime. When I encountered a teacher that wasn't such a stickler, and was concentrating on the writing, not the rules, I think that's when I actually started enjoying those English classes. It's also neat that the language changes over time, where words like "dove" instead of "dived" are not such a big deal, and new words are added as language and society changes.

Did no one catch this?

I did catch you using "there" wrong once. SHOCKING OH MY!!!!