: a sign − used in mathematics to indicate subtraction (as in 8−6=2) or a negative quantity (as in −10°) — called also negative sign.

Subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite. So, subtracting a positive number is like adding a negative; you move to the left on the number line. Subtracting a negative number is like adding a positive; you move to the right on the number line.

The name “hyphen-minus” is a Unicode invention; the character is referred to as a hyphen or a minus sign according to the context where it is being used. It is often called a “dash”, though it is normally shorter than the dash characters.

Recorde first proposed the equal sign in a 1557 book named The Whetstone of Witte, in which he says, “And to avoide the tediouse repetition of these woordes: is equalle to: I will sette as I doe often in woorke use, a paire of paralleles, of Gemowe (or twin) lines of one lengthe, thus: = = = = = =, bicause noe 2 …

3 Answers. Words like ‘the’, ‘a’, and ‘of’ are often called syncategorematic words, words “that do not stand by themselves…

The difference between the two constructions is that “What do you mean?” is a complete thought. The verb “mean” takes the adjective “what” as its object, as in “You mean what?” On the other hand, “How do you mean?” is not a complete thought….

1. A: “I like those.”
2. B: “What do you mean?”
3. A: “Those apples you gave me.”

It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” Its is a possessive determiner we use to say that something belongs to or refers to something. But the rules are very clear—it’s is the same type of contraction as “where’s” or “there’s,” and its is a possessive just like “my” or “your.”

Its is a possessive pronoun meaning, “belonging to it,” or a “quality of it” (Example: The carrier lost its license) or (Example: Its color is red.) And there’s absolutely, positively no such word as its’.

When something is true, legitimate or right, you can say it’s correct, using the word as an adjective. It can also be a verb; to correct wrong answers is to adjust them to make them right.

Its’ is never correct. Your grammar and spellchecker should flag it for you. Always change it to one of the forms below. It’s is the contraction (abbreviated form) of “it is” and “it has.” It’s has no other meanings–only “it is” and “it has.”

BizWritingTip response: As ABC Enterprises is considered a singular noun, you would have to use the personal pronoun “its.” ABC Enterprises offered all its employees a bonus. (Its is replacing the company’s name.) You would only use “their” when the noun it is replacing is plural.

Its is the possessive form of “it.” In a nutshell: It’s is always a contraction, so if you can replace it’s with “it is” or “it has,” then keep that apostrophe on there.

Its. It’s is a contraction and should be used where a sentence would normally read “it is.” the apostrophe indicates that part of a word has been removed. Its with no apostrophe, on the other hand, is the possessive word, like “his” and “her,” for nouns without gender.

It’s is a contraction for it is. Its is a possessive pronoun. All three third person singular possessive pronouns end in ‘s’ and not one of them takes an apostrophe. No apostrophes, because these are not contractions, they are pronouns.

Use “Your” in a Sentence Prior to a Noun or Pronoun

1. Just give him your pen.
2. Go deliver your newspapers.
3. George is not planning to go to your house.
4. Is that your shoe in the ditch?
5. You must eat your vegetables before you can play your game.