Its vs. It’s — What’s the Difference?
One tiny apostrophe, one BIG difference.
Its and it’s may sound identical, but they serve totally different purposes in English. These two are often confused—even by native speakers! So, let’s break it down clearly.
What’s the Difference?
| Word | Function | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Its | Possessive pronoun | Belongs to “it” | The cat licked its paws. |
| It’s | Contraction | Short for “it is” or “it has” | It’s been a long day. |
They sound the same, but their usage depends on the context.
Think of It This Way:
- “It’s” = “It is” or “It has”
Just try expanding it. If it makes sense, use it’s. - “Its” = Belonging to it
No apostrophe needed.
If you can replace it with it is or it has, use it’s. If not, it’s its!
Definitions
Its (possessive adjective)
- Means something belongs to or is associated with a thing.
- Example: The dog wagged its tail.
It’s (contraction)
- Short form of:
- It is: It’s raining.
- It has: It’s been a long week.
Synonyms
For its:
- Owned
- Belonging to it
- Hers / His / Theirs / Yours (depending on context)
For it’s:
- No real synonyms. It’s just a shortened version of it is or it has.
Examples in Sentences
Its – Possessive
- The snake shed its skin.
- I love the sculpture, especially its texture.
- The phone won’t turn on—it must have damaged its battery.
It’s – Contraction
- It’s raining again!
- It’s been months since we last met.
- I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble.
FAQs
1. Can its ever have an apostrophe?
No! Never use an apostrophe with its when you mean possession. It’s one of the few exceptions in English where possession doesn’t involve an apostrophe.
2. What part of speech is its?
Its is a possessive determiner, just like his, her, or their.
3. Is “it’s” ever used as a possessive?
No. It’s is only used to mean it is or it has. Possession is always expressed by its.
4. Is this important for IELTS?
Absolutely! Misusing it’s/its in Writing Task 1 or 2 can affect your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. Examiners notice these small errors.
If you’re unsure whether to use its or it’s, try replacing the word with “it is” or “it has.”
- If it still makes sense = use it’s.
- If it doesn’t = use its.