Possessive apostrophes are apostrophes (’) used with the letters at the end of a noun to show ownership over or a close connection with another noun. For example, if you were talking about the tail of your cat, you can add a possessive apostrophe and an s to show which noun is the owner.

My cat's tail

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Here you go: It's vs its https://www.grammarly.com/blog/commonly-confused-words/its-vs-its/

[+] s38b35M5 -6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

We both used links from the same source.

I've traditionally used no apostrophe for inanimate objects, like a bus.

The bus has wheels. Its wheels are black.

But when dealing with a gendered, thinking being, use the apostrophe.

Edit: no need for down-votes for a good-faith discussion, is there?

[–] reattach 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

From the page that you linked:

The important thing to remember is don’t use possessive apostrophes with any pronouns, either possessive pronouns or possessive adjectives.

If you see an apostrophe with a pronoun, it must be part of a contraction.

its—possessive adjective of it

it’s—contraction for “it is”

The nature of the object doesn't change which form to use (which should make it easier to determine which is correct), and the correct form is not a debate.

Sure, language changes, but for now that's the accepted rule.

[–] s38b35M5 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Awesome! Thanks! I was initially sure the pedant was right, but my grammarly "research" was hasty and misapplied, and I thought I had learned a new thing I was doing wrong. I do a lot of those...

[–] reattach 2 points 2 weeks ago

No problem - cheers.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

Edit: no need for down-votes for a good-faith discission, is there?

Downvotes for spreading incorrect information is appropriate.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

discission

Can't tell if troll or tragically clueless

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

From your own source:

"When should you not use a possessive apostrophe? Do not use possessive apostrophes with pronouns, which have their own unique possessive forms."

You wouldn't use he's or she's or they's for possession. It goes: his, hers, theirs, its. The cat's knees = its knees.

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