These two English words are very often used incorrectly by native speakers. It’s important that you understand the difference.
It’s
It’s is a contraction of it is or it has.
It’s time to go.Do you think it’s ready?I read your article – it’s very good.Do you know where my purse is? It’s on the table.It’s been a long time.
Its
Its is the possessive form of it.
That’s an interesting device – what is its purpose?I saw Les Misérables during its initial run.This stove has its own timer.The bird lost some of its feathers.Where is its head office?
Its vs. it’s
Its, without an apostrophe, is the possessive of the pronoun it. It’s, with an apostrophe, is a contraction of it is or it has. If you’re not sure which spelling to use, try replacing it with it is or it has. If neither of those phrases works in its place, then its is the word you’re looking for.
Most English speakers are comfortable with the difference between its and it’s, yet even the most careful writers mix them up in careless moments. Such errors are typos, not grammar mistakes (there is a difference), and can usually be stamped out with a quick proofread. None of us is immune to these mistakes, so let’s not be too hard on people who make the occasional its/it’s slip-up.
Most English speakers are comfortable with the difference between its and it’s, yet even the most careful writers mix them up in careless moments. Such errors are typos, not grammar mistakes (there is a difference), and can usually be stamped out with a quick proofread. None of us is immune to these mistakes, so let’s not be too hard on people who make the occasional its/it’s slip-up.
Examples
Its
In its place is a general sense that the United States and its allies have limited leverage. [Slate]
Columbia University has often shown that the principle is among its core values. [New York Daily News]
The rest of its funding comes from state and federal grants and private fundraising. [AP]
It’s
It’s a powerfully expressive grape that asserts both strong fruit and structural characteristics. [Huffington Post]Note that in each of these three examples, it’s would bear replacement with either it is or it has. In the above three examples, neither of these phrases would work in place of its.
Apple left little doubt that it’s poised to reveal the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco to be held on Wednesday. [USA Today]
The courses began in June, and since then, it’s been booming. [Charleston City Paper]
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