<P> The possessive of it was originally it 's , and many people continue to write it this way , though the apostrophe was dropped in the early 1800s and authorities are now unanimous that it 's can be only a contraction of it is or it has . For example , U.S. President Thomas Jefferson used it 's as a possessive in his instructions dated 20 June 1803 to Lewis for his preparations for his great expedition . </P>
<P> The possessive of it was originally it 's , and many people continue to write it this way , though the apostrophe was dropped in the early 1800s and authorities are now unanimous that it 's can be only a contraction of it is or it has . For example , U.S. President Thomas Jefferson used it 's as a possessive in his instructions dated 20 June 1803 to Lewis for his preparations for his great expedition . </P>
what is the mark in a contraction called
what is the mark in a contraction called
apostrophe
apostrophe