Its or It's Grammar Rules

Choosing between its or it's is difficult for many learners of the English language.

Basically, its is the possessive form and it's is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'.

Here we'll teach you more about them with some examples.

It's

When there is an apostrophe, it's is indicating a contraction of one of these, depending on the sentence:

it is
it has

A contraction is when we shorten two words by placing an apostrophe between them.

Contraction of 'it is'

It's (it is) hot today
It's (it is) not fair that I failed the test
I made the curry. It's (it is) vegetarian
He's still coming although it's (it is) late.

Contraction of 'it has'

It's (it has) been very hot today
It was in the oven for ages but it's (it has) not cooked.
I've lost my pen. I'm not sure where it's (it has) gone.
It's (it has) been several years since I've seen him

Its

Its with no apostrophe is indicating the possessive form. It is a possessive adjective. By possessive we mean 'belonging to':

The student read his books (masculine)
Jane was missing her family (feminine)
The dog ate its food (neutral)

You know this is the possessive as you can't say "The dog ate it is food".

Examples:

The school has lost its funding
The door has had its paint removed
Has the food reached its sell-by date?
The village has changed its name

A Top Tip for Choosing Its or It's

A way to help you choose between its or it's is to say the sentence that you are about to write in your head or out loud and see if it sounds right.

But when you do it, place it is and it has in place of the its/it's. If it doesn't sound right then it's likely to be the possessive form.

Let take an example. Imagine you are going to write this sentence but you don't know whether to use its or it's:

The painting has faded and lost its/it's colour?

Now read out the sentence with it is and it has:

The painting has faded and lost it is/it has colour?

You'll have hopefully realised that it didn't sound right when you did that. So it should be its without the apostrophe in the sentence. Now try this one:

I was going to leave but I realised its/it's not the right time.

Now read these out:

I was going to leave but I realised it is/it has not the right time.

This time you should have realised that it is sounds ok, and so it's is the right one to use.

Contractions

Another thing to note is about contractions. When a word is shortened as in it's, it's called a contraction.

Contractions are common when we speak or in more informal writing such as social media, emails, letters, novels and magazines, but not for academic writing.

So make sure you use it in the right context.

More Confusing Words:

Is it complement or compliment?
Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.
Classification of Prepositions in English: Types and Examples
This classification of prepositions in English explains how they can be single, double, phrasal or detached.
Difference Between Accept and Except
Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.
Every Day or Everyday? How to Choose
In choosing between every day or everyday you need to understand that one is a determiner plus noun while the other is an adjective.
Past Tense of Fit - Explanation and Examples
The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.
Past Tense of Feel: Choosing feel or felt
The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.
The Difference Between There, Their, and They're
This confusing words lesson explains the difference between there, their, and they're, which often stump learners of English.
Difference between affect and effect: Verb or Noun?
The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.
Drank or Drunk: Advice on which to choose
Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.
Differences Between Infer and Imply
Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.
People Are or Is Grammar Explanation with Examples
Deciding whether to say people are or is in English grammar can be confusing but the explanation is in the difference between the plural and the singular.
Backward vs Backwards Grammar Differences Explained
Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.
Titled Versus Entitled: How to Choose
This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.
When to choose assure or ensure
Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.
Lose or Loose: Which to choose?
Choosing between lose or loose can be confusing for English learners. The difference though are fairly simple.
To vs Too: What is the difference?
Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.
Past tense of hang - Explanation and examples
In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.
Alot or A Lot Grammar Differences. Which should you use?
Which should you choose of these two words - alot or a lot? A lot means that there is many of something. For instance, 'There are a lot of people here'. Alot is actually not a word that exists, so don't use it!
What are the differences between bought and brought?
Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".
Anyway or Anyways Grammar. What's the difference?
Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.
Be / Get Used to: Learn the Differences
Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.
How to Use Either and Neither with Examples
Advice on how to use either and neither in English grammar. They can be adjectives, adverbs, pronouns and conjunctions.
Zero Article Rules with Examples
Here we look at zero article rules with examples. We have no article when referring to general concepts, abstract nouns, proper nouns, and mass nouns.
Difference Between Emigrate and Immigrate
The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.