English question about It's and its?

Favorite Answer

I understand your confusion. The misuse of these two words ranks among the top 10 common mistakes in the English language.


SHORT ANSWER

The word ‘its’ shows or implies possession as in this sentence:

The lion cub did not venture far from its lair.

The word ‘it’s’ is simply the contraction for the words ‘it is’ (and sometimes ‘it has.’)

Jane said it’s one of the all time great novels.

In this use of the word, if you can replace ‘it’s’ with the two words, ‘it is’ and it reads well, use it’s, with the apostrophe. If it doesn’t sound good or read well with ‘it is,’ then use the word ‘its’ without the apostrophe.

IF THE PRECEDING MAKES SENSE THEN THERE IS NO NEED TO READ FURTHER. If you are still confused, please read on for a more in-depth explanation of a shortcut with examples.

LONG ANSWER

While this following explanation is lengthy, it will become second nature in short order and you will be able to determine the correct word to use in a matter of seconds (in your head).

For the absolute, easiest way to get this correct, EVERY TIME, ALL OF THE TIME, you have to know only ONE thing:

The word ‘it’s’ is the contraction for the words, ‘it is.’

In other words, ‘it’s’ means exactly the same thing as ‘it is’ and, as such, the two may be correctly used interchangeably wherever one or the other appears in a sentence. Then, whenever you have a sentence where you are unsure of whether to use ‘its’ or ‘it’s,’ temporarily use the words ‘it is,’ the expanded form of the contraction ‘it’s,’ in the sentence and read it.

If the sentence sounds good / reads well with the words ‘it is,’ the word you want is ‘it’s,’ with the apostrophe.

If the sentence DOESN’T sound good / read well with the words ‘it is,’ the word you want is ‘its,’ WITHOUT the apostrophe.

Example 1:

Which of the following sentences is correct?

“Bill, please cut the grass before it’s too late.”

or

“Bill, please cut the grass before its too late.”

To easily find out, temporarily substitute the words ‘it is,’ the expanded form of the contraction ‘it’s,’ for both ‘it’s/its’ in the sentence and read it.

“Bill, please cut the grass before it is too late.”

The words ‘it is’ used in this sentence sound perfectly fine and since the words ‘it is’ are the expanded form of the contraction ‘it’s,’ use ‘it’s’:

“Bill, please cut the grass before it’s too late.”

Example 2:

Which of the following sentences is correct?

John’s cat bit it’s own tail.

or

John’s cat bit its own tail.

To easily find out, temporarily substitute the words ‘it is,’ the expanded form of the contraction ‘it’s,’ for both ‘it’s/its’ in the sentence and read it.

John’s cat bit it is own tail.

The words ‘it is,’ the expanded form of the contraction ‘it’s,’ DON’T sound good /read well in this sentence so, by default, the correct word to use is ‘its,’ WITHOUT the apostrophe:

John’s cat bit its own tail.

**************

It’s really that simple and you will never, ever get it wrong if you use your ‘ears’ instead of trying to remember grammar rules. It is puzzling to me why the incorrect use of ‘its’ and ‘it’s is among the most common mistakes in the English language. I assure you that if EVERYONE knew this ‘backdoor shortcut’ and used it, NO ONE would ever again incorrectly use the two words. This shortcut is LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY. You will NEVER, EVER get it wrong again! I guarantee it!...Show more

In N Z you likely have some expressions that are actually not heard someplace else, no longer even in Australia. i'm southern English, yet substitute into in oz..for 3 years contained in the early Nineteen Seventies. Visited N Z around Auckland for some hours on the way domicile from oz..via sea. yet then, what's "English" English or British English? so some distance as i'm worried the North (of england) is yet another usa for language!...Show more

No, you have it backwards. Think about it like this: his dog, her dog, its dog. There is no apostrophe(') in his or her, so there should not be one in its (possessive).
It's = it is. You put an apostrophe in a contraction to replace the missing letter or letters.
By the way, many native English speakers make this mistake, so do not feel bad....Show more

it's = it is
Here are a few sentences to make things more easier:

1. The dog played with its toy.
2. It's wonderful

*Hoped I helped....Show more

it's = it is

to remember, think of it as the apostrophe replacing the missing parts of "it is" (the space between the words and the second i)

its = possessive pronoun.

to remember, just think of the words "his" and "her": 3 letters in a single word, no apostrophe....Show more