Okay, I can’t take it anymore

In that subject line, “can’t” is short for “cannot,” right? The easy way to discover whether you are using contractions correctly is to replace the abbreviated version with the two words the shortened version is replacing.

So, for instance:

Randall gives each of his pets its own warm blanket to sleep on.–Correct

Randall does not think its a problem to have a “For Sale: Meat and Pets” sign in his yard.–Incorrect (on several levels)

I just read a slick brochure from LifeWay with “it’s” used incorrectly. If I’m the only writer in Tennessee who knows these rules, it seems I should be making lots (not lot’s) more money.