Monday, July 7, 2008

Its, It's

It's should ONLY be used as a contraction of it is.
Its is the possessive form of it, but it does not use an apostrophe.

I know it's confusing, but that's the rule.

Less, Fewer

Both less and fewer mean not as much of something, but fewer should be used if you can count the number of the object. For example:
  • Fewer dollars or less money
  • Fewer calories means it's less filling
  • Less cloudy because of fewer clouds
  • Fewer people make up less of a crowd
  • Fewer miles or less distance

Your, You're

Your is something belonging to you.
You're is a contraction for you are.

There, Their, There's, They're

There is a place that isn't here.
Their is something belonging to them.
There's is a contraction for there is.
They're is a contraction for they are.

Apostrophe

You do not need an apostrophe to create a plural.

Just ask Bob the Angry Flower.