“Its” vs. “It’s” - What’s the Difference? “Its” vs. “It’s” – What’s the Difference

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Many English learners—and even native speakers—get tripped up by its and it’s. They sound the same but have very different meanings. Using the wrong one can make your writing confusing or look sloppy.

Today, Midoo AI will teach you a simple way to remember the difference, and we’ll give 5 clear examples for each so you can use them confidently every time.

Its – Shows Possession

“Its” is a possessive pronoun, which means it shows that something belongs to something else. Think of it as “belonging to it.” There is no apostrophe in this word, which is a common mistake for many people.

Examples:

  1. The dog wagged its tail with excitement.
  2. The company redesigned its website last month.
  3. The tree shed its leaves in autumn.
  4. The car is old, but its engine still works perfectly.
  5. The robot moved its arm to pick up an object and returned its attention to the task.

Tip: If you can replace the word with “belonging to it,” then its is the right choice.

It’s – Contraction for “It is” or “It has”

“It’s” is a contraction, which means it’s short for it is or it has. Always remember: the apostrophe replaces the missing letters.

Examples:

  1. It’s raining outside, so don’t forget your umbrella. (It is)
  2. It’s been a long week at work. (It has)
  3. It’s time to start the meeting. (It is)
  4. It’s already finished, so we can move on. (It has)
  5. It’s amazing how quickly technology changes. (It is)

Tip: If you can expand it into “it is” or “it has,” then it’s is correct.

Quick Trick to Remember

  • Its = possession → belongs to something
  • It’s = it is / it has → contraction

Example in one sentence:

  • The cat chased its toy across the room, and it’s clearly having a lot of fun.

Think of it like this: its = ownership, it’s = “it is” or “it has.” Simple!

FAQs About Its vs. It’s

1.Can “its” ever have an apostrophe?

No. Its never takes an apostrophe. Apostrophes in English usually show contractions (like it’s = it is) or possession for nouns (like John’s book).

2.Can “it’s” mean “it has”?

Yes! Example: It’s been a very busy day. Here, “it has” is shortened to “it’s.”

3.How can I quickly remember the difference?

Ask yourself: Does it show ownership? Use its. Does it mean it is or it has? Use it’s.

4.Can both appear in the same sentence?

Absolutely! Example: The dog wagged its tail, and it’s very excited to see you.

5.Why do people often confuse them?

Because they sound the same in speech. Remembering the rules for possession vs. contraction will make it much easier to get right in writing.