It’s as clear as the nose on your face

It’s a battle — yes it is. Why? Because it’s is its own worst enemy.

I know what you’re thinking. “It’s no big deal.” You’re right. It is not. In fact, you could say, “It’s is its own worst enemy.” You’d probably be right. But, as The Prose’s self-anointed Don Quixote de la Gramática, I’m compelled to battle this word vs. word windmill head-on, to the pain — if not to the death.

First things first: it’s = it is. Period. Finis. The end. No más. Get it’s right, and its takes care of itself. It’s that simple. Yes, it is.

Helpful hints:

She’s = she is.

He’s = he is.

It’s = it is

Got it?

Good.

So, then, what about its?

Easy. Its is possessive. Like his. Or hers.

Why the confusion?

I do not know. Or, better said, I don’t know. It’s that whole “contraction” thingy, which WIKI defines, thusly:

“A contraction is a shortened version of the written and spoken forms of a word, syllable, or word group, created by omission of internal letters ...”

Will my modest effort settle the “It’s vs. Its” battle? I doubt if its impact is that big, but it’s worth the effort. Yes, it is.

BRIEF VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRzSXKjaZDM&feature=youtu.be