Its vs It's

Its vs It's - Exercise and Quiz

This exercise focuses on Its vs It's

Its Meaning (Possessive Pronoun)

Meaning:

"Its" is a possessive pronoun. It shows ownership or belonging. Think of it like "his" or "her," but for things or animals.

Usage:

Use "its" when you want to indicate that something belongs to or is a part of something else.

Examples:

➡️ "The cat licked its paw."

➡️ "The company updated its website."

In these examples, "its" shows that the paw belongs to the cat and the website belongs to the company.

It's Meaning (Contraction of "It is" or "It has")

Meaning:

"It's" is a contraction for either "it is" or "it has."

Usage:

Use "it's" when you can replace it with "it is" or "it has" in the sentence.

Examples:

➡️ It is: "It's raining outside." (It is raining outside.)

➡️ It has: "It's been a long day." (It has been a long day.)

In both examples, "it's" can be expanded to either "it is" or "it has," depending on the context.

Key Differences

⭐ "Its": Shows possession (no apostrophe).

⭐ "It's": Contraction of "it is" or "it has" (with an apostrophe).

How to Avoid Confusion

A simple trick to avoid confusion is to try replacing "it's" with "it is" or "it has" in the sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, then "it's" is correct. If not, you should use "its."

Example:

➡️ "The dog wagged its tail." (Try replacing "its" with "it is" or "it has" – it doesn't work, so "its" is correct.)

➡️ "It's a beautiful day." (Replacing "it's" with "it is" works: "It is a beautiful day.")

Common Errors

❌ Using "it's" when you mean "its":

This often happens because the apostrophe makes people think of possession, but "its" is the correct possessive form without an apostrophe.

❌ Using "its" when you mean "it's":

Remember, "it's" always stands for "it is" or "it has," so if that's not what you mean, use "its."

FAQ

How can I remember the difference between "its" and "it's"?

Remember that "it's" always means "it is" or "it has," and "its" is for possession. If you can replace "it's" with "it is" or "it has," you're using it correctly.

Is "its'" ever correct?

No, "its'" is never correct. The possessive form "its" does not require an apostrophe. 

What’s the trick to using "its" and "it's" correctly?

Replace "it's" with "it is" or "it has." If it works, "it's" is correct. If not, use "its."

Why doesn’t "its" have an apostrophe for possession?

In English, possessive pronouns like "his," "hers," and "its" do not take an apostrophe.

Can "it's" ever mean "it was"?

No, "it's" only stands for "it is" or "it has."