Knowing when to use its vs it’s in English can be confusing. Even though both words sound the same, adding an apostrophe, ’,  changes the meaning completely. 

The best way to understand the difference between its and it’s in English is to know each word’s function in a sentence.

Read the following sentences aloud:

• It’s the most wonderful time of the year. 

• Its color is so bright! 

In the first sentence, it’s functions as a short form of it is. In the second sentence, its is a possessive adjective that tells us whose color the speaker is referring to.

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Difference between its and it’s explained 

When it comes to English homophones, or words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have completely different meanings, it’s easy to get confused when writing. 

It’s and its are a pair of homophones that cause both native speakers and English learners to make frequent spelling mistakes. The same can be said about  their vs. there vs. they’re and your or you’re. 

Understanding the grammatical differences between its and it’s, or how each functions in an English sentence, is the first step you need to take to use these homophones correctly. 

Its is a possessive adjective 

Its, which doesn’t have an apostrophe, is the possessive adjective for the third-person neutral subject. 

Remember that in English we don’t assign a gender to inanimate and nonhuman objects or things. Its can be used to refer to possession by these types of subjects.

Example of the its possessive adjective: 

• What I love about

  my new car

  is the car’s fuel efficiency.

• What I love about my new car is its fuel efficiency.

In the above example, by replacing the words the car’s with its, you avoid repetition while still conveying the possessive relationship.

More examples of its: 

The cat

→

The cat

Her new dress

→ Her new dress is gorgeous but its length is a bit inappropriate for the event. 

Tom was excited about

his promotion

→ Tom was excited about

his promotion

Using the possessive adjective, its, not only helps us shorten our sentences, but also makes the sentence sound clear. 

Learn more about possessive adjectives in English and how they are used.

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has 

Though we often associate the apostrophe s (‘s) with possession, conveying possession is NOT the role of it’s. Rather, it’s represents the contraction of two subject-verb conjugations: it is and it has. 

We frequently use contractions in English with verbs like to be and to have, and with modals such as would and could. Contractions are handy when we want to speak informally. 

In most cases, it’s is a contraction for it is, which are the third-person neutral pronoun and the present simple conjugation of to be for it, respectively. 

Take a look at the following sentences in which it’s replaces it is:

• I love Titanic! It’s my favorite film. (It is my…)

• It’s Robert who moved to California last year, not Michael. (It is Robert who…)

• Don’t be late. It’s important that you be there on time. (It is important that…)

We can also use it’s as part of the present continuous verb tense: 

• It’s going to rain tomorrow. Don’t forget your umbrella! (It is going to…)

• That shirt is stunning. It’s going to look amazing with your vest. (It is going to…)

• The meeting has been cancelled. It’s being pushed to tomorrow. (It is being…) 

It’s can come in handy as a short form of it has ONLY when we use it in

present perfect tenses

• It’s

  been

  a long time since I’ve spoken to her. (It has been a long…)

• I don’t know what’s wrong with my phone. It’s

  stopped

  receiving calls. (It has stopped…)

• The tree is too old. It’s

  given

  us its last fruit this fall. (It has given us…)

Be careful not to use it’s in place of it has in the present simple:

The children love their new classroom. It’s colorful posters plastered all over the walls. x

The children love their new classroom. It has colorful posters plastered all over the walls. ✓

Its vs its: overview and examples 

Tips to avoid common mistakes with its vs it’s 

Getting into the habit of proofreading your writing will help you catch these mistakes more quickly. Soon enough, you’ll be avoiding them altogether.

And if you’re still having trouble knowing when to use its vs it’s, use the following tips: 

Try replacing Its with

noun and ‘s

In your sentence, can you replace its with the sentence’s subject or object and apostrophe s (‘s)? If you can, then you are using the correct word. If you cannot, then you may need to use it’s.

Example:

The car began to stall so I turned off its engine. 

→ In this sentence, the car is the subject. If I replace its with

the car’s

✓ The car began to stall so I turned off the car’s engine.

Example:

Carla hasn’t decided whether its best to share the news now or once she’s gone. 

→ If we try replacing its with the subject or object of the sentence and apostrophe’s, the phrase doesn’t make sense: 

X Carla hasn’t decided whether Carla’s best to share the news now or once she’s gone. 

X Carla hasn’t decided whether the news’ best to share now or once she’s gone. 

Using  it’s instead of its would be correct in this example: 

✓ Carla hasn’t decided whether it’s best to share the news now or once she’s gone.

Check if you

it is

If you’re unsure whether it’s is the right choice for your sentence, try replacing it with it is or it has and see if it still makes sense. If not, then its should be used. 

Example: 

It’s going to be a long drive. They should probably take a nap before leaving. 

→ We can replace it’s with it is, and the sentence still works:

✓ It is going to be a long drive. They should probably take a nap before leaving. 

Example: 

The new museum is allowing visitors starting next month. It’s opening has been long anticipated.

→ If we use it is instead of it’s, the sentence would not make sense. That means we should use the possessive adjective its and not the contraction it’s:

XThe new museum is allowing visitors starting next month. It is opening has been long anticipated. 

✓The new museum is allowing visitors starting next month. Its opening has been long anticipated.

Brush up on your English pronouns with the help of our guide to using English pronouns in daily conversation. 

Now that you’ve reviewed this brief guide on its vs it’s, you’d best pay closer attention to how you’re using both words in your English writing. Whether you’re sending an email to an English-speaking client, or writing your college midterm essay  — getting its vs it’s correctly can help elevate your writing to a more professional level. 

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More examples of when to use its vs it’s 

Let’s quickly recap what we’ve covered about the its vs it’s grammar rule, or when and when not to add an apostrophe:

• Can you use it is instead? It’s is the correct choice in this case. 

• Can I use the sentence’s subject + ’s or the object + ’s instead? Its must be used, then!

Here are more examples that show us the difference between its vs it’s:

When to Use its (Possessive Adjective)

• The brand recently ended its partnership with the influencer. 

• The Board of Trustees decided to announce its decision before the news was leaked.

• Its rugged terrain and dense vegetation make the Amazon rainforest difficult to explore. 

• The longer the line grew, the more impatient its members became.

When to Use it’s (Contraction of it is or it has [in perfect tense])

• It’s a well-known fact that learning a new language helps promote cognitive health.

• The country will be festive next year. It’s celebrating its 250th anniversary.

• London is a popular tourist attraction. It’s received 20 million each of the last few years!

• It’s been raining all week long!

Need a refresher on English grammar basics? Here’s a quick overview of the 8 parts of speech in English. 

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