Its and it’s are two of the most mixed-up words in the English language. Even confident writers get them wrong. The problem is they look almost identical, sound exactly the same, and the rule that usually helps with possessives (adding an apostrophe) actually works the opposite way here. This guide explains the difference between its and it’s clearly once and for all, with real examples, a memory trick, and a quiz.
It’s (with an apostrophe) always means “it is” or “it has”. The apostrophe replaces the missing letter. Its (without an apostrophe) is the possessive form, meaning “belonging to it”. The trick that confuses everyone is that normally apostrophes show possession (like “the dog’s bone”), but with “it”, the apostrophe means a contraction, not possession.
Difference Between Its and It’s: Comparison Table
| Feature | It’s | Its |
|---|---|---|
| Apostrophe | Yes | No |
| Meaning | “It is” or “It has” | “Belonging to it” |
| Type of word | Contraction | Possessive pronoun |
| Test | Replace with “it is” or “it has” – still makes sense | Replace with “it is” or “it has” – does not make sense |
| Example | “It’s raining outside.” (It is raining) | “The dog wagged its tail.” (the tail belonging to it) |
| Common mistake | Using it’s when you mean possession | Leaving out the apostrophe when you mean it is |
When to Use It’s
Use it’s with an apostrophe whenever you mean “it is” or “it has”. The apostrophe is there because a letter has been left out, just like in other contractions: “don’t” is “do not” with the o removed, and “it’s” is “it is” with the i removed.
It’s meaning “it is”:
“It’s cold outside.” = “It is cold outside.” ✅
“It’s a beautiful day.” = “It is a beautiful day.” ✅
“It’s not what I expected.” = “It is not what I expected.” ✅
It’s meaning “it has”:
“It’s been a long day.” = “It has been a long day.” ✅
“It’s taken longer than expected.” = “It has taken longer than expected.” ✅
“It’s been raining all week.” = “It has been raining all week.” ✅
The test is simple. If you can replace it’s with “it is” or “it has” and the sentence still makes sense, you have the right word.
When to Use Its
Use its without an apostrophe whenever you mean “belonging to it”. Its is a possessive pronoun, in the same family as his, her, our, their, and your. Notice that none of those words use an apostrophe to show possession either. Its follows the same rule.
Its showing possession:
“The cat licked its paw.” (the paw belonging to the cat) ✅
“The company lost its best employees.” (the employees belonging to the company) ✅
“The tree shed its leaves.” (the leaves belonging to the tree) ✅
“The book has its flaws.” (the flaws belonging to the book) ✅
The test here is the opposite. If replacing the word with “it is” or “it has” makes the sentence sound wrong, you want its without an apostrophe.
“The cat licked it is paw.” — that makes no sense, so you need its without the apostrophe.
Example 1 – Weather:
Correct: “It’s forecast to snow tomorrow.” (It is forecast)
Correct: “The storm is known for its unpredictability.” (the unpredictability belonging to the storm)
Wrong: “Its going to snow.” (Should be it’s because it means “it is going”)
Example 2 – Animals:
Correct: “It’s the most intelligent animal in the ocean.” (It is)
Correct: “The dolphin used its echolocation to find food.” (the echolocation belonging to the dolphin)
Wrong: “The dolphin used it’s echolocation.” (No apostrophe needed for possession)
Example 3 – School:
Correct: “It’s important to revise before your exam.” (It is important)
Correct: “The school celebrated its 100th anniversary.” (the anniversary belonging to the school)
Wrong: “The school celebrated it’s anniversary.” (Wrong — no apostrophe for possession)
Example 4 – Technology:
Correct: “It’s the fastest laptop available right now.” (It is)
Correct: “The phone is known for its excellent camera.” (the camera belonging to the phone)
Wrong: “The phone is known for it’s camera.” (Wrong — no apostrophe for possession)
Example 5 – Nature:
Correct: “It’s been the hottest summer on record.” (It has been)
Correct: “The volcano is famous for its frequent eruptions.” (the eruptions belonging to the volcano)
Wrong: “The volcano is famous for it’s eruptions.” (Wrong — possession does not use apostrophe here)
The substitution test — the only trick you will ever need:
Every single time you are unsure, replace the word with “it is” or “it has” and read the sentence out loud.
If it still makes sense: use it’s with an apostrophe.
If it sounds wrong: use its without an apostrophe.
“The dog wagged it is tail.” — sounds wrong, so use its.
“It is raining outside.” — sounds fine, so use it’s.
This test works 100% of the time. Apply it every single time and you will never get its and it’s wrong again.
Quick Quiz: Its or It’s?
1. ___ going to be a great day.
2. The bird spread ___ wings and flew away.
3. ___ been raining for three days straight.
4. The company released ___ annual report yesterday.
5. ___ not as difficult as it looks.
Difference Between Its and It’s in Exams
The difference between its and it’s is tested in English Language exams at every level. Proofreading questions, error correction tasks, and writing assessments all penalise incorrect use of its and it’s. Examiners look specifically for apostrophe errors because they are so common. Using the substitution test every time you write either word will make sure you never lose marks on this again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Writing “it’s” for possession:
This is the most common mistake. “The cat wagged it’s tail” is wrong. The tail belongs to the cat so no apostrophe is needed. Write “its tail”.
Leaving out the apostrophe in contractions:
“Its raining outside” is wrong. This means “it is raining” so the apostrophe is needed. Write “it’s raining”.
Thinking the apostrophe always shows possession:
This is the root of the confusion. For most nouns, apostrophes do show possession (the dog’s bone, the teacher’s pen). But possessive pronouns never use apostrophes. His, her, our, their, your, and its all show possession without an apostrophe. Its follows the same pattern as all of them.
Overcorrecting:
Some students learn the rule and then start removing apostrophes from it’s even when they mean “it is”. If you are unsure, always do the substitution test. It is the only check you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does its not have an apostrophe for possession?
Because its is a pronoun, and pronouns in English do not use apostrophes to show possession. Think of his, her, our, their, and your. None of them use apostrophes even though they all show possession. Its follows exactly the same rule. The apostrophe in it’s is only ever there to replace a missing letter in a contraction.
Is “its'” (with the apostrophe after the s) ever correct?
No. “Its'” does not exist in standard English. You will never need to write its with an apostrophe after the s. The only two options are it’s (meaning it is or it has) and its (meaning belonging to it). If you ever find yourself writing its’, stop and use the substitution test to work out which one you actually need.
How can I remember which one to use?
The substitution test is the most reliable method. Replace the word with “it is” or “it has” and read the sentence out loud. If it sounds right, use it’s with an apostrophe. If it sounds wrong, use its without. This test works every single time without exception.
Do professional writers ever get its and it’s wrong?
Yes, surprisingly often. Even published books, newspaper articles, and professional websites contain its and it’s errors. It is one of the most common punctuation mistakes in the English language. The substitution test is what careful writers use to catch these errors before they publish.
Does the same rule apply to other pronouns like “who’s” and “whose”?
Yes, exactly the same logic applies. Who’s (with apostrophe) means “who is” or “who has”. Whose (without apostrophe) is the possessive form meaning “belonging to whom”. “Who’s coming tonight?” means “who is coming tonight.” “Whose bag is this?” asks about possession. The pattern is identical to its and it’s.
For more English grammar help visit Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: It.
Also read: Difference Between Affect and Effect | Difference Between Then and Than | Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy
The difference between its and it’s is one of those things that seems complicated until you have one reliable test. Substitute “it is” or “it has” every time. If it works, use it’s. If it does not, use its. The difference between its and it’s never needs to trip you up again. Apply the test once on every sentence you write and the difference between its and it’s will become completely automatic.
Every time you write either word, take two seconds to do the substitution test. The difference between its and it’s will never catch you out again once that habit is in place. Most people who truly understand the difference between its and it’s say the same thing: once it clicks, it stays with you forever.