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The Charge:
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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. |
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Case for the Defence 
/ Defense  :
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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. |
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Case for Prosecution:
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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. |
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Judge Grammar Monster's Decision:
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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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Common grammar errors
