Re: Incorrect use of "it's" in package control files -- file mass bug?
* Kevin B. McCarty:
> Recall that "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has", and any other
> use (e.g. as a possessive) is not grammatically correct English.
> Hypothetical examples:
>
> - XMMS is cool. It's one of the best ... [correct, "It is"]
> - XMMS is cool. It's been rated highly ... [correct, "It has"]
> - XMMS is cool. It's features include ... [wrong]
> - XMMS is cool. Its features include ... [correct, possessive]
>
> Using "it's" and "its" correctly is in your best interest, since incorrect
> usage may cause someone browsing the package descriptions to have a bad
> first impression of that package.
If this is really important, lintian could enforce a style guide that
prohibts "it's" altogether, always requiring the spelled-out versions.
(While we are at it, "e.g." and "i.e." are good candidates for a ban,
too. 8-)
Reply to: