The Grammar Doctor

Q. I know that it is correct to say "its" for possessive (e.g. "Its fur was all matted") and "it's" for "it is," (It's not true that I don't know grammar) but my friend doesn't believe me. how can I prove it? or at least explain why?

A. People get confused because they think of apostrophes as going with possessives. However, apostrophes go with possessive NOUNS, not possessive PRONOUNS. I sometimes use this chart to emphasize to my students the difference between possesive pronouns (its) and contractions (it's).

contractions possessive pronouns
it's its
you're your
they're their
who's whose

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