Is Co-operative Bank's use of it's grammatically acceptable?

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Is the Co-operative Bank's use of it's grammatically acceptable?


Co-operative Bank's logo


Co-operative Bank's advertisement on a mass-produced flyer

 

The Charge:

The phrase "rooted in it's principles" should be replaced with "rooted in its principles".  It's (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of it is or it has. It cannot be used as a possessive adjective.  Its (without an apostrophe) is the possessive adjective. 
 

Defence / Defense Case:

Look, there are two schools of thought on this one. There are the apostrophists who claim that it's can be used as the possessive form of it, and there are the non-apostrophists who claim that the possessive form of it is its.  There are some important exponents in the apostrophists' camp, who cannot be ignored - all of those who compiled the American Constitution for starters.  This document has it's as a possessive adjective throughout. Moreover, it makes sense. The possessive form of cat is cat's.  The possessive form of it is it's.
 

Prosecution Case:

There is no apostrophists' camp. The possessive form of it is not it's. Stop adding to the confusion.  When the American Constitution was written, it's may have been acceptable as a possessive adjective. Indeed, a swathe of evidence supports that, but it is irrelevant to this case.  No modern grammar references support the so-called apostrophists.  It's is a contraction of it is or it has. That is a 100% rule.  Its is the possessive form of it.  That is another 100% rule.
 

Judge Grammar Monster's Decision:

I strongly agree with the Prosecution. Let's be very clear on this: It's is not the possessive form of it.  

The use of it's in this example is a shocking grammatical howler. It should read "rooted in its principles". Shame on the Co-operative Bank's proof readers.

 
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