It’s or Its: Correct Usage, Meaning, and Easy Grammar Guide

Many English learners and even native speakers get confused between it’s or its.

You may pause while writing an email or social media post, wondering which one is correct. They look almost the same, but their meanings are very different.

People search it’s or its because using the wrong one can make writing look unprofessional.

Students, bloggers, and business writers often mix them up since most possessive words in English use an apostrophe, but this one does not follow the usual rule.

The confusion happens because it’s uses an apostrophe while its does not, even though one is possessive and the other is not. This feels opposite to normal grammar patterns.

This guide solves the confusion. You will learn simple rules, origins, examples, and tips so you can always choose the correct form with confidence.

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Quick Answer

It’s = it is or it has
Its = possession or belonging

Examples:

• It’s raining today. (It is raining.)
• The dog wagged its tail. (Tail belongs to the dog.)

Quick trick:
If you can replace it with it is, use it’s. Otherwise, use its.

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The Origin of It’s or Its

The word it comes from Old English pronouns used for objects and animals.

In English, apostrophes usually show possession, like:

• John’s book
• The car’s door

But pronouns developed differently:

• his
• hers
• ours
• theirs
• its

So its became the possessive form without an apostrophe. Later, it’s formed as a contraction of it is or it has.

The confusion exists because possessive nouns use apostrophes, but possessive pronouns do not.

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British English vs American English Spelling

There is no spelling difference between British and American English for these words.

Form	American English	British English	Meaning
it’s	it’s	it’s	it is / it has
its	its	its	belonging to it

Both countries follow the same grammar rule.

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choose based on meaning:

Use it’s when you mean:

• it is
• it has

Use its when showing possession.

Examples:

• It’s a beautiful day.
• The company changed its logo.

If unsure, replace the word with it is. If the sentence still makes sense, use it’s.

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Common Mistakes with It’s or Its

Common errors include:

The cat cleaned it’s fur.
✔ The cat cleaned its fur.

Its going to rain.
✔ It’s going to rain.

The phone lost it’s signal.
✔ The phone lost its signal.

Using apostrophes for possession automatically.
✔ Pronouns do not use apostrophes for possession.

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It’s or Its in Everyday Examples

Email:

• It’s ready for delivery.
• The company updated its policy.

News:

• The city changed its transport plan.

Social media:

• It’s finally weekend!

Formal writing:

• The organization expanded its services.

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It’s or Its – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows it’s or its is one of the most searched grammar questions worldwide.

High search activity comes from:

• Students learning English
• Bloggers and content writers
• Business professionals
• Social media users

Countries with strong search interest include the United States, India, the UK, Canada, and Australia. The confusion remains common because both forms appear frequently in daily writing.

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Comparison Table: Keyword Variations

Variation	Meaning	Correct Usage
it’s	it is / it has	It’s raining
its	possession	Its color is blue
its’	incorrect form	Not correct
it is	full form	It is raining

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FAQs:

1. What is the difference between it’s and its?
It’s means it is. Its shows possession.

2. Which one shows ownership?
Its shows ownership.

3. Why doesn’t its use an apostrophe?
Because possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.

4. Can it’s mean it has?
Yes, sometimes.

5. Is its ever wrong?
Only if you mean it is.

6. Is this mistake common?
Yes, very common.

7. How can I remember the rule?
Replace it with it is to test.

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Conclusion

The between it’s or its is simple once you understand the rule. It’s is only a contraction meaning it is or it has, while its shows possession.

The confusion happens because English usually uses apostrophes for possession, but pronouns follow a different pattern.

Learning this rule improves writing clarity in emails, articles, school work, and business communication. Readers quickly notice mistakes with it’s and its, so using them correctly makes your writing look more professional.

A helpful memory tip is to test your sentence by replacing the word with it is. If the sentence still works, use it’s. Otherwise, use its.

With practice, choosing the correct form becomes automatic, helping you write clearly and confidently every time.

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