How to use “its” and “it’s” correctly

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Understanding the difference between “it’s” and “its” can be confusing because they look similar but mean different things. Knowing when to use each one will make your writing clearer and more professional.

What Does “It’s” Mean?

“It’s” is a contraction, which means it’s a shorter way of saying “it is” or “it has.” The apostrophe (‘) shows that a letter or letters have been left out.

Examples of “It’s”:

When “It’s” means “It is”:

• “It’s a sunny day.”
  (This means “It is a sunny day.”)
• “It’s important to listen carefully.”
  (This means “It is important to listen carefully.”)

When “It’s” means “It has”:

• “It’s been a long time since we met.”
  (This means “It has been a long time since we met.”)
• “It’s grown quite cold outside.”
  (This means “It has grown quite cold outside.”)

Tip: Whenever you see “it’s,” try replacing it with “it is” or “it has.” If it still makes sense, you’re using it correctly!

What Does “Its” Mean?

“Its” is a possessive pronoun. This means it shows that something belongs to “it.” Notice that there’s no apostrophe here. Think of “its” like “his” or “her” in sentences.

Examples of “Its”:

Showing possession with “Its”:

• “The cat licked its paws.”
  (The paws belong to the cat.)
• “The company improved its services.”
  (The services belong to the company.)

In descriptions or facts about something:

• “The tree shed its leaves in autumn.”
  (The leaves belong to the tree.)
• “Each room has its own key.”
  (The key belongs to each room.)

Tip: If you’re talking about something that belongs to “it,” use “its” without an apostrophe.

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Quick Test to Remember the Difference

A good way to test which one to use is by asking yourself: “Am I trying to say ‘it is’ or ‘it has’?”

• If yes, use “it’s” (with an apostrophe).
• If no, use “its” (no apostrophe) to show ownership.

Practice Examples

Let’s try a few practice sentences to test your understanding:

“The dog loves _ new toy.”

• Answer: “The dog loves its new toy.” (The toy belongs to the dog.)

“_ a great day to go hiking.”

• Answer: “It’s a great day to go hiking.” (This means “It is a great day to go hiking.”)

“The city is known for _ beautiful parks.”

• Answer: “The city is known for its beautiful parks.” (The parks belong to the city.)

“_ been raining all day.”

• Answer: “It’s been raining all day.” (This means “It has been raining all day.”)

Key Takeaway

• “It’s” = It is / It has (Always use an apostrophe)
• “Its” = Possession (No apostrophe)