Is It “Its” or “It’s”?
When it comes to English grammar, one of the tiniest words causes some of the biggest confusion. The words “its” and “it’s” look almost the same, but they do very different jobs.
Even professional writers, teachers, and editors sometimes mix them up without realizing it. And if you are learning English or just trying to write better, this little apostrophe can feel like a trap.
But don’t worry. This article will walk you through everything you need to know in a natural and friendly way. You’ll get practical examples, a few tricks to remember which one to use, and a full breakdown so you never get it wrong again.
Let’s start with the basics.
What’s the Difference Between “Its” and “It’s”?
The confusion starts because both words come from the pronoun “it.” And that’s where the similarity ends. They have very different uses.
READ: That vs. Which – Defining vs. Non-Defining Clauses
“It’s” is a contraction
“It’s” means it is or it has. The apostrophe here replaces the missing letter or letters.
Think of “it’s” like any other contraction. Just like don’t stands for do not, it’s stands for it is or it has.
Examples:
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It’s raining outside. (It is raining outside.)
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It’s been a long day. (It has been a long day.)
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I think it’s broken. (I think it is broken.)
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It’s always a good idea to double-check. (It is always a good idea to double-check.)
Each time, you can replace “it’s” with “it is” or “it has” and the sentence will still make perfect sense.
“Its” is a possessive pronoun
“Its” means belonging to it. Just like “his” or “her” shows ownership, “its” shows something that belongs to a thing or animal.
Unlike most possessive words, “its” does not use an apostrophe.
Examples:
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The dog wagged its tail.
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The company changed its logo.
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The phone lost its signal.
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The tree shed its leaves.
In each case, “its” shows that something belongs to the thing you’re talking about — the dog’s tail, the company’s logo, the phone’s signal, the tree’s leaves.
Why “Its” Doesn’t Use an Apostrophe
This is where English gets a little tricky. Most of the time, to show possession, we add an apostrophe. For example:
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Sarah’s bag
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The teacher’s pen
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The child’s toy
But with “its”, the rule is different. Even though “its” shows ownership, you do not add an apostrophe. Why?
Because adding an apostrophe turns it into “it’s,” which is already a contraction. English makes an exception for this one word to avoid confusion between the contraction and the possessive form.
So remember: “it’s” means “it is” or “it has,” not ownership.
READ: Affect vs. Effect Clarified with Real Examples
Easy Way to Remember the Difference
Here’s a simple trick.
Try replacing the word with “it is” or “it has.”
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If the sentence still makes sense, then use “it’s.”
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If it sounds wrong, then use “its.”
Let’s test it:
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The cat licked its paw.
Try: The cat licked it is paw — no, that doesn’t make sense. So “its” is correct. -
It’s been a fun night.
Try: It has been a fun night — yes, that makes sense. So “it’s” is correct. -
The robot lost its arm.
Try: The robot lost it is arm — doesn’t sound right. “Its” is the correct choice. -
It’s cold today.
Try: It is cold today — that works. So “it’s” is correct.
Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
Many people assume that adding an apostrophe always shows possession. That’s often true, but not here. Mixing these two up can make writing look careless and confusing. Let’s look at some sentences where people often make the wrong choice.
Incorrect: The car lost it’s wheel.
Correct: The car lost its wheel.
Why? Because “it’s” would mean “it is wheel,” which makes no sense.
Incorrect: Its a nice day.
Correct: It’s a nice day.
Here, “its” is wrong because the sentence means “It is a nice day.”
Incorrect: The bird spread it’s wings.
Correct: The bird spread its wings.
The wings belong to the bird. So the correct form is the possessive pronoun “its.”
Incorrect: Its been a while since we talked.
Correct: It’s been a while since we talked.
“It has been a while” is what we mean here, so we use “it’s.”
Graphical Guide for Quick Understanding
Here’s a quick reference chart to help you remember:
| Word | Meaning | Can be replaced with | Shows possession | Uses apostrophe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It’s | It is / It has | Yes | No | Yes |
| Its | Belonging to it | No | Yes | No |
This one table sums up the entire confusion in the simplest way. Keep this chart in mind and you’ll never have trouble again.
READ: Fixing Subject–Verb Agreement Errors
More Real-Life Examples to Clarify
Let’s walk through more real-life situations where people might hesitate and pick the wrong word.
Example 1:
The clock lost __ minute hand.
Should it be its or it’s?
Answer: The clock lost its minute hand. The hand belongs to the clock.
Example 2:
I think __ time to leave.
Answer: I think it’s time to leave. You’re saying “It is time to leave.”
Example 3:
The country changed __ anthem in 1990.
Answer: The country changed its anthem in 1990. The anthem belongs to the country.
Example 4:
__ been a tough journey.
Answer: It’s been a tough journey. This means “It has been a tough journey.”
Why This Matters in Writing
Using “its” and “it’s” correctly builds trust. It shows attention to detail. People judge writing based on how clean and correct it looks. Whether you are writing an email, blog post, school essay, or business proposal, these tiny details make a big difference.
A mistake here can make your message seem rushed or careless. Knowing the difference also helps with reading comprehension. If you confuse “its” with “it’s,” the meaning of the sentence can change completely.
Frequently Asked Questions about “Its” vs “It’s”
Is “it’s” ever possessive?
No. “It’s” is never used to show possession. It only means “it is” or “it has.”
Why doesn’t “its” have an apostrophe like other possessive words?
Because “it’s” is already taken as a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” To avoid confusion, “its” drops the apostrophe when showing ownership.
Can I just avoid using “its” altogether?
Not really. Rewriting your sentence every time would be tiring and awkward. Learning the rule is easier and makes your writing clearer.
What if I see both forms in one sentence?
That can happen. Look at this:
“It’s clear that the company changed its policy.”
Here, “It’s” means “It is” and “its” shows possession.
READ: Understanding Double Negatives in English
Does spoken English help with this?
Not really. Since “its” and “it’s” sound the same, only written context can help. That’s why mastering this rule is so important for writing.
Final Thoughts
This little apostrophe may be small, but it makes a big difference. Getting “its” and “it’s” right can help you write more clearly, confidently, and professionally. All it takes is a small pause and a simple test: Can you say “it is” or “it has”? If yes, use “it’s.” If not, go with “its.”
The next time you’re writing and stop to ask yourself whether it’s “its” or “it’s,” take a breath, think about what you want to say, and make the smart choice. Once you understand the logic, it becomes second nature. And your writing becomes cleaner, sharper, and more trusted by everyone who reads it.