Its vs It’s: Simple Guide to Knowing the Difference

Understanding “Its” vs “It’s”

“Its” and “It’s” are two small words in English that often confuse people. Let’s learn about their differences, history, how to use them, and a simple trick to remember each one.

History

Long ago, English words evolved to make writing easier. “Its” and “It’s” came from the word “it.” These words help us talk about things or ideas without always repeating the name. Over time, people started using an apostrophe (‘) to show missing letters, like in “it’s,” which means “it is” or “it has.”

How to Use “Its”

“Its” is a possessive adjective. It shows that something belongs to it, like the car’s color or the dog’s tail.

• The cat licked its paw.
• The tree lost its leaves.
• The book had its cover torn.
• The robot moved its arm.
• The house lost its roof in the storm.

How to Use “It’s”

“It’s” is a contraction. It combines “it is” or “it has.” Remember the apostrophe shows missing letters.

• It’s a sunny day.
• It’s been a long time.
• It’s raining outside.
• It’s my favorite song.
• It’s important to learn.

Trick to Remember

If you can say “it is” or “it has,” use “it’s” with the apostrophe. If you mean something belongs to “it,” use “its.”

Summary

“Its” shows belonging. “It’s” is a shortcut for “it is” or “it has.” Remembering the apostrophe helps us know when letters are missing. Practice makes perfect!

Use these tips and examples to help you understand and remember how to use “its” and “it’s” in sentences correctly.