English: Precision Matters

Those of you who visit the site often know that I can be a bit pedantic at times, and one’s use of English is one area that brings this out in me. Below is the simplest guide I can put together to help those that I think will listen.

I’m going to send it to friends when I see them commit the errors. I used to not do so for fear of offending them, but upon re-thinking it I think it’s more important to keep them from embarrassing themselves.

• Its vs. It’s If you can substitute the words “it is”, or “it has”, you need to use it’s, otherwise use its.
• There vs. Their vs. They’re Their is for possession only. They’re is a contraction for “they are”. All other places require there.