Griffith Writing Tip #6: the most common mistake

If you've ever graded papers or paid attention to emails that spill onto your desk, you'll probably agree with me that the most common mistake in the English language is...

...Misuse of the apostrophe with "it."

Yup. That's it. It has become the national consensus that you'd better use an apostrophe if you can, and that means always with "it." Right? Wrong.

"I looked at it's tires."
"Does your cat scratch it's nose?"
"I don't care for it's taste."

Well, friend, the word "it's" means "it is."

"I looked at it is tires."
"Does your cat scratch it is nose?"
"I don't care for it is taste."

Teach yourself that the apostrophe in "It's" is the "scar" left from surgical removal of the word "is," and maybe you'll be one of the 5 percent who can resist the temptation to insert the apostrophe when it's not supposed to be there.

Is it always wrong to write "it's?"

Of course not. If you want to say "it is" in a hurry, use the apostrophe. That's what it's for, to cut out a syllable. Faster to write. Faster to speak.

It's a beautiful day. = It is a beautiful day.
I'll tell you when it's time. = I'll tell you when it is time.
Run before it's too late! = Run before it is too late!

Have fun. Conquer the biggest language in the world. You can do it.