Contents
“Its” and “it’s” are often confused because they sound the same, but they have very different meanings and uses. Here’s how to distinguish between them:
Its vs. It’s: the Main Difference
Key Distinctions:
- Its: Possessive, used to show ownership.
- Example: “The cat licked its paws.”
- It’s: A contraction for “it is” or “it has.”
- Example: “It’s a beautiful day.” (It is)
- Example: “It’s been a tough week.” (It has)
Its vs. It’s: Definition and Usage
Its (Possessive Pronoun):
- Meaning: Refers to something that belongs to or is associated with something else (similar to “his” or “her”).
- Use: Shows ownership or possession.
- Examples:
- “The dog wagged its tail.”
- “Each team has its own color.”
- Explanation: “Its” is used to show possession, meaning something belongs to or is part of something else.
It’s (Contraction of “It is” or “It has”):
- Meaning: A contraction of “it is” or “it has.”
- Use: Used in sentences where “it is” or “it has” can be shortened.
- Examples:
- “I think it’s going to rain.” (It is)
- “It’s been a long day.” (It has)
- Explanation: “It’s” is the contracted form of “it is” or “it has.” If you can expand it to “it is” or “it has,” you should use “it’s.”
Its vs. It’s: Common Mistakes
Using “it’s” for possession:
- Incorrect: “The company is expanding it’s business.”
- Correct: “The company is expanding its business.”
- Explanation: “Its” is the correct possessive form. “It’s” means “it is” or “it has.”
Using “its” instead of “it’s” for “it is” or “it has”:
- Incorrect: “Its a lovely evening.”
- Correct: “It’s a lovely evening.”
- Explanation: If you can replace it with “it is,” then “it’s” is the correct form.
Quick Tips:
- Use “its” for ownership or possession.
- Use “it’s” if it can be expanded to “it is” or “it has.”
Examples of Its and It’s in Sentences
Examples of “It’s” in Sentences
In this sub-section, we will look at several examples where “its” is used as a possessive pronoun:
- It’s going to rain later today, so don’t forget to bring an umbrella.
- I can’t believe it’s already time for the meeting to start.
- It’s important to check your work for errors before submitting it.
- It’s been a long time since we last saw each other.
- It’s my turn to choose the movie we are going to watch tonight.
Examples of “Its” in Sentences
- The cat chased its tail in circles.
- The company is known for its innovative approach to design.
- The plant has lost its leaves due to the cold weather.
- Each team has its own strategy for winning the game.
- The book has lost its cover, but the pages are still intact.
Examples of Sentences that Use Both “It’s” and “Its”
- It’s amazing how the butterfly changes its colors during its life cycle.
- The robot can repair itself if it’s damaged, thanks to its self-healing mechanism.
- It’s clear that the organization values its employees by the way it’s structured its benefits package.
- The museum is closed today because it’s undergoing renovations to improve its facilities.
- It’s the company’s policy to reduce its carbon footprint, and it’s making significant progress.
Its vs. It’s: Practice and Exercises
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blanks with either “it’s” or “its” to correctly complete the sentences.
- __________ going to rain later this afternoon, according to the weather forecast.
- The cat licked __________ paw after the meal.
- __________ important to check your work before submitting it.
- The company is expanding __________ reach to international markets.
- __________ not unusual for him to spend hours on a single drawing.
- The tree lost all of __________ leaves during the autumn season.
- __________ been a long time since we last met.
- The smartphone has __________ own built-in assistant for voice commands.
- __________ a mystery why the system suddenly stopped working.
- The organization is known for __________ charitable contributions.
Answer with Explanation
- Answer: It’s
- Explanation: “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” which is appropriate here.
- Answer: its
- Explanation: “Its” is a possessive pronoun indicating that the paw belongs to the cat.
- Answer: It’s
- Explanation: “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” fitting in this context.
- Answer: its
- Explanation: “Its” is possessive, indicating the company owns the reach.
- Answer: It’s
- Explanation: “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” making sense in this sentence.
- Answer: its
- Explanation: “Its” is possessive, showing ownership of the leaves by the tree.
- Answer: It’s
- Explanation: “It’s” is a contraction for “it has” in this case, indicating the passage of time.
- Answer: its
- Explanation: “Its” is possessive, showing that the smartphone has a feature.
- Answer: It’s
- Explanation: “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” used here to express a state of being.
- Answer: its
- Explanation: “Its” is possessive, referring to the contributions made by the organization.
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