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“Its” vs. “It’s”: What’s the Difference?

Its - vs- it's article cover image These two tiny words look almost the same but mean very different things. Even native speakers (and AI tools) mix them up because they both relate to “it.”

Let’s make this simple — one shows possession, and the other is a short form.

Its: The Possessive Form

Meaning

“Its” (without an apostrophe) shows possession — that something belongs to “it.”
It works just like his, her, or their.

Examples of “Its” (10 total)

  1. The dog wagged its tail.
  2. The company changed its logo.
  3. The car lost its mirror in the accident.
  4. Every country has its own culture.
  5. The tree shed its leaves in the fall.
  6. The robot finished its task perfectly.
  7. The phone updated its system overnight.
  8. The city improved its transportation network.
  9. The team celebrated its first win.
  10. The website crashed because of its server error.

🧠 Tip:
If you can replace it with his or her, then “its” is correct.

The cat licked its paw → The cat licked her paw ✅

It’s: The Contraction

Meaning

“It’s” (with an apostrophe) is short for “it is” or “it has.”
The apostrophe replaces the missing letter.

Examples of “It’s” (10 total)

  1. It’s raining outside. (It is)
  2. It’s been a long day. (It has)
  3. I think it’s time for lunch.
  4. It’s amazing how fast time flies.
  5. It’s not easy to stay calm.
  6. It’s been years since we met.
  7. It’s okay, everyone makes mistakes.
  8. It’s getting colder every day.
  9. It’s the best movie I’ve ever seen.
  10. It’s been great talking to you!

🧠 Tip:
Try replacing it with “it is” or “it has.”
If the sentence still makes sense, use it’s.

It’s cold today → It is cold today ✅
The cat chased it’s tail → It is tail ❌ (Use its)

Quick Comparison Table

WordTypeMeaningExample
ItsPossessive pronounBelonging to “it”The dog wagged its tail.
It’sContractionShort for “it is” or “it has”It’s been a long day.

Common Mistakes

MistakeWrong SentenceCorrect Sentence
Using “it’s” for possessionThe company changed it’s logo.The company changed its logo.
Forgetting the apostropheIts going to rain.It’s going to rain.
Mixing both formsThe bird built it’s nest with its beak.The bird built its nest with its beak.

How to Remember the Difference

👉 If you can replace it with “it is” or “it has,” use “it’s.”
👉 If it shows belonging, use “its.”

Or think of it this way:

“It’s” = It is
“Its” = Belongs to it

Why This Matters in Natural Writing

Getting small details like this right makes your writing sound fluent and human.
AI tools often confuse its and it’s because they predict patterns, not meaning.
That’s why tools like Humanizey help refine AI-written text — fixing tiny grammar details that change how natural your writing feels.

FAQ

1. Is “it’s” ever used for possession?
No. “It’s” only means “it is” or “it has.” Never use it to show ownership.

2. Why doesn’t “its” have an apostrophe?
Because it’s already possessive — like his or her. They don’t need one either.

3. How can I test which one to use?
Try reading the sentence out loud with “it is.” If it makes sense, use “it’s.”

4. Is this mistake serious?
Yes — it’s one of the most common grammar errors and can make your writing seem careless.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Its” or “It’s”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

  1. The cat licked ___ paws clean.
  2. ___ going to be a sunny day.
  3. The company updated ___ website.
  4. ___ been a pleasure meeting you.
  5. Every phone has ___ own serial number.
  6. I think ___ time to leave.
  7. The bird built ___ nest on the roof.
  8. ___ not as easy as it looks.
  9. The computer restarted by ___ self.
  10. ___ been months since we talked.

Answers

  1. its
  2. it’s
  3. its
  4. it’s
  5. its
  6. it’s
  7. its
  8. it’s
  9. its
  10. it’s