Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 The apostrophe is used with **it's** only if the meaning is IT IS. If the word doesn't mean IT IS, then there is no apostrophe in its. My third grade granddaughter has already learned this, but it seems that many adults never learned it since this error is made constantly all over the internet astrology boards. Everyone uses the apostrophe (it's) in error. (It's) if the meaning is 'it is.' Otherwise it's [it is] (its). Yes, it matters if we want to be taken seriously. At 10:02 AM 3/8/06 -0800, you wrote: >Venus nearing it's degree of exaltation (at 27 Pisces)...(and so on) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 therese hamilton wrote: >The apostrophe is used with **it's** only if the meaning is IT IS. If the >word doesn't mean IT IS, then there is no apostrophe in its. My third grade >granddaughter has already learned this, but it seems that many adults never >learned it since this error is made constantly all over the internet >astrology boards. Everyone uses the apostrophe (it's) in error. > >(It's) if the meaning is 'it is.' > >Otherwise it's [it is] (its). > >Yes, it matters if we want to be taken seriously. > > > Hi Therese, Thanks for the correction--- perhaps there's an extra seat available in your granddaughter's class for slackers such as myself in " The Elements of Style " . These types of errors can indeed be distracting, but hopefully one doesn't get lost in such grammatical minutia to the exclusion of the purport of the post. There are many elements of style, grammar being only one. Your post above could certainly have been handled in a more 'adult' fashion in my opinion. If it's politeness and etiquette you yearn for in today's list environment, as mentioned in your last post to Astrodatabank, then might I suggest that you start at home. Best, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Maybe you're right, Steve, but it really makes astrologers look bad when they don't know the basics of grammar. This hurts astrology which I love so much. I wasn't impolite, but only 'said it like it was.' I didn't use your name in my post. I didn't even remember who wrote that post. But I had reached my limit on the use of it's on the astrology forums. I didn't attack anyone personally, only pointed out the incorrect use of the word. The situation is entirely different on ADB where there are outright attacks on those who post there while the moderator just lets it all pass. We need both: correct grammar and meaningful posts. Therese At 08:14 PM 3/8/06 -0800, you wrote: >Thanks for the correction--- perhaps there's an extra seat available in >your granddaughter's class for slackers such as myself in " The Elements >of Style " . > >These types of errors can indeed be distracting, but hopefully one >doesn't get lost in such grammatical minutia to the exclusion of the >purport of the post. > >There are many elements of style, grammar being only one. Your post >above could certainly have been handled in a more 'adult' fashion in my >opinion. If it's politeness and etiquette you yearn for in today's list >environment, as mentioned in your last post to Astrodatabank, then >might I suggest that you start at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 therese hamilton wrote: >Maybe you're right, Steve, but it really makes astrologers look bad when >they don't know the basics of grammar. This hurts astrology which I love so >much. I wasn't impolite, but only 'said it like it was.' > > > Hi Therese, I understand your concern with proper grammar. I think any particular group looks 'bad' in some respect if people don't know how to write. On the other hand, one may have excellent grammar and speak nothing but rubbish (although eloquently). It seems there is an underlying concern, perhaps among the more scholarly astrologers, that we, as a group are made more presentable somehow. But to who exactly and for what purpose? To scientists and astronomers--who speak of us with nothing but contempt? And how exactly is astrology " hurt " ? Are we trying as a group to prove our own legitimacy to ourselves? We somehow don't measure up to societal standards perhaps, practicing a 'pseudo' science. Everyone has their particular agenda, exactly according to the nature of their chart of course. As a Uranian type, I don't care too much for many forms of respectability and am quite content to be labeled a bit 'weird'. If astrology passes muster eventually with some group of scientists or the other, or makes it on the evening news--no big deal for me personally--I already know it works. I'm happy at this point in my life to get decent results for myself, my friends and my clients. Best, Steve PS--it's snowing again here in So. Oregon--I suspect you'll be shoveling some yourself tomorrow morning. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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