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Offline SSG Snuggle Bunny

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How Come...
« on: November 05, 2009, 02:26:21 PM »
...when you write a possessive noun you use apostrophe "s" EXCEPT when you use the neutral gender of something, i.e. The lost its toy.

srsly
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Offline thundley4

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2009, 02:32:37 PM »
Quote
The lost its toy.

Huh? 
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Offline debk

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2009, 02:34:48 PM »
Quote from: Mr Snuggle Bunny on November 05, 2009, 02:26:21 PM
The lost its toy.





who is "The"..... :clueless:
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Offline Eupher

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2009, 03:08:32 PM »
Quote from: Mr Snuggle Bunny on November 05, 2009, 02:26:21 PM
...when you write a possessive noun you use apostrophe "s" EXCEPT when you use the neutral gender of something, i.e. The lost its toy.

srsly

We had this discussion the other day in a different thread, methinks (I don't think you were involved, Snugs).

The word "its" in your example is not a "possessive noun" - it's a possessive pronoun.

And yes, it makes a difference.

srsly



 :-)
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Offline SSG Snuggle Bunny

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2009, 09:16:33 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on November 05, 2009, 02:32:37 PM
Huh? 
Sorry got distracted by people wanting me to do my job or something.

I had meant to write: The baby lost its toy.
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Offline debk

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2009, 09:28:11 PM »
Quote from: Mr Snuggle Bunny on November 05, 2009, 09:16:33 PM
Sorry got distracted by people wanting me to do my job or something.

I had meant to write: The baby lost its toy.


I was mostly teasing you Snugs...I forgot to add a smilie....sorry. :thatsright:
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Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline ColonialMarine0431

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2009, 11:33:14 PM »




 :tongue:
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Offline DixieBelle

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2009, 08:11:46 AM »
^LOL!
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Offline BlueStateSaint

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2009, 12:14:28 PM »
CM, I very nearly put a mouthful of pasta on my monitor.

But, back to MSB's point, I think that a possessive pronoun would have its' apostrophe after the "s" and not before it. 
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Offline docstew

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2009, 01:19:40 PM »
Quote from: BlueStateSaint on November 06, 2009, 12:14:28 PM
CM, I very nearly put a mouthful of pasta on my monitor.

But, back to MSB's point, I think that a possessive pronoun would have its' apostrophe after the "s" and not before it. 

Not quite. It's = it is.  Its = belonging to it

Rules of usage for apostrophes
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Offline jinxmchue

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2009, 01:30:16 PM »
Get the book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves."  It's an excellent and entertaining exploration of punctuation and the people who misuse it.

http://www.amazon.com/Eats-Shoots-Leaves-Tolerance-Punctuation/dp/1592400876



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« Last Edit: November 06, 2009, 01:31:49 PM by jinxmchue »
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Offline DumbAss Tanker

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2009, 01:30:27 PM »
Quote from: BlueStateSaint on November 06, 2009, 12:14:28 PM
CM, I very nearly put a mouthful of pasta on my monitor.

But, back to MSB's point, I think that a possessive pronoun would have its' apostrophe after the "s" and not before it. 

No.  Neither "His" nor "Hers" have that, do they?  Possessive pronouns are a different form (Though same as the basic form with an "S" added for neuter and feminine genders, they are really not juut the subjective or objective cases with a suffix added).

It's is a contraction of it is, while its'[/i]uwould confuse the Hell out of people since it looks like a plural form of it with a possessive appostrophe in the normal place for that meaning, but that base is already covered by they/them for the plural of it, and their/theirs for the plural possessive.
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Offline BlueStateSaint

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Re: How Come...
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2009, 03:37:26 PM »
Quote from: DumbAss Tanker on November 06, 2009, 01:30:27 PM
No.  Neither "His" nor "Hers" have that, do they?  Possessive pronouns are a different form (Though same as the basic form with an "S" added for neuter and feminine genders, they are really not juut the subjective or objective cases with a suffix added).

It's is a contraction of it is, while its'[/i]uwould confuse the Hell out of people since it looks like a plural form of it with a possessive appostrophe in the normal place for that meaning, but that base is already covered by they/them for the plural of it, and their/theirs for the plural possessive.

I type corrected, then.
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"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

"All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don't sit looking at it - walk!" -Ayn Rand
 
"Those that trust God with their safety must yet use proper means for their safety, otherwise they tempt Him, and do not trust Him.  God will provide, but so must we also." - Matthew Henry, Commentary on 2 Chronicles 32, from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

"These anti-gun fools are more dangerous to liberty than street criminals or foreign spies."--Theodore Haas, Dachau Survivor

Chase her.
Chase her even when she's yours.
That's the only way you'll be assured to never lose her.
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