It's vs Its: The #1 Grammar Mistake Explained

Master This Common Mistake in 2 Minutes

Quick Answer

It's = "it is" or "it has" (contraction). Its = possession (belonging to it).

Quick test: Replace the word with "it is." If the sentence makes sense, use it's. If not, use its.

When to Use "It's"

It's is a contraction—a shortened form of "it is" or "it has." The apostrophe replaces the missing letter(s).

  • It's raining outside. → It is raining outside. ✓
  • It's been a long day. → It has been a long day. ✓
  • It's time to go. → It is time to go. ✓
  • It's getting late. → It is getting late. ✓
  • It's my favorite book. → It is my favorite book. ✓

When to Use "Its"

Its is a possessive pronoun—it shows that something belongs to "it." No apostrophe needed!

  • The dog wagged its tail. → The tail belongs to the dog. ✓
  • The company changed its policy. → The policy belongs to the company. ✓
  • The cat licked its paws. → The paws belong to the cat. ✓
  • The tree lost its leaves. → The leaves belong to the tree. ✓
  • The phone needs its battery replaced. → The battery belongs to the phone. ✓

Comparison Chart

Word Definition Trick to Remember Example Sentence
It's Contraction of "it is" or "it has" The apostrophe replaces the missing letter (i or ha) "It's sunny today." (It is sunny)
Its Possessive pronoun (belonging to it) Like "his" and "hers"—no apostrophe for possession "The bird spread its wings."

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

❌ Incorrect:

"The dog wagged it's tail."

✓ Correct:

"The dog wagged its tail."

Why? The tail belongs to the dog—possession. Use "its" (no apostrophe).
❌ Incorrect:

"Its raining outside."

✓ Correct:

"It's raining outside."

Why? This means "It is raining"—use the contraction "it's."
❌ Incorrect:

"The company changed it's policy."

✓ Correct:

"The company changed its policy."

Why? The policy belongs to the company—possessive, no apostrophe.
❌ Incorrect:

"Its been a long day."

✓ Correct:

"It's been a long day."

Why? This means "It has been"—contraction, use "it's."
❌ Incorrect:

"The cat licked it's paws."

✓ Correct:

"The cat licked its paws."

Why? The paws belong to the cat—possessive form, no apostrophe.

Why This Mistake Is So Common

Normally, we add an apostrophe to show possession (John's book, the dog's collar). But possessive pronouns never use apostrophes:

  • his (not hi's)
  • hers (not her's)
  • its (not it's)
  • theirs (not their's)
  • yours (not your's)

The apostrophe in "it's" only indicates a contraction (letters removed), never possession.

Quick Tips

💡 The Substitution Test

Replace with "it is" or "it has." If the sentence makes sense, use "it's." If not, use "its."

✅ Apostrophe = Missing Letters

The apostrophe in "it's" replaces a missing letter. It's = It [i]s. No missing letter? No apostrophe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't "its" have an apostrophe for possession?

Possessive pronouns (his, hers, its, theirs, yours) never use apostrophes. The apostrophe is reserved for contractions only. Think of it this way: "his" doesn't have an apostrophe, and neither does "its."

Can "it's" ever be possessive?

No. "It's" always and only means "it is" or "it has." Never use "it's" for possession. This is a hard rule with no exceptions.

What about "its'" (with apostrophe after s)?

"Its'" is never correct. There is no such word in English. Use "its" for possession and "it's" for contractions—that's it.

How do native speakers remember this rule?

Most native speakers use the substitution test unconsciously. Read your sentence aloud with "it is" instead. If it sounds right, use "it's." If it sounds wrong, use "its."

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