How to Correctly Use "Its" and "It's"

Grammar rules can help you avoid frustration when using "its" and "it's."

If you don't know how to correctly use the words "its" and "it's," not to worry. You're not alone. In fact, the misuse of these two tiny words can be seen everywhere -- on web pages, in newspapers, in junk mail and in memos from your boss. Learn the difference between "its" and "it's" to be sure you are using these words correctly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

"Its" Defies the Rules

1. Look at whether your usage of "its" or "it's" is a possessive. "Its" -- without the apostrophe -- is used to indicate possession. This means the word indicates that something belongs to it.

2. Remember that the possessive use of "its" defies how we use possessives everywhere else in our writing. If the bone belongs to the dog, we would call it "the dog's bone." Notice the apostrophe and the "S." However, if you want to say "its bone," do not use an apostrophe.

3. Study these examples: "The dog has lost its bone." "The cat licks its fur." "Look! That car is losing its bumper!" These examples are all correct.

Understanding "It's"

1. Start by remembering that "it's," with an apostrophe, is a contraction. That means it is shorthand for two words: "it is" or "it has." Other examples of contractions are: "you're" for "you are," "I'm" for "I am," and "they're" for "they are."

2. Separate the word "it's" into its parts whenever you're tempted to use it in a sentence and aren't sure whether you're correct. Try these examples: "It's a wonderful life" for "It is a wonderful life," or "It's a boy!" for "It is a boy!" These examples are correct.

3. Remember every time you write a sentence using "it's," to try separating the word in your head to see if you've used it correctly. Remember: "it's" is short for "it is." Practice separating the word in your head until correct usage becomes second nature to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Whenever you have grammar gremlins like these, it helps to jot a note to yourself with the correct use of problem words wherever you write. These notes to yourself will serve as a reminder until you finally conquer the gremlins.

• Get yourself a handy stylebook if grammar tends to be your weakness and you need to write on the job. Some recommendations: Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss; The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition, by William Strunk Jr.; English Grammar for Dummies by Geraldine Woods.

• Check out The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus, which also is available online. Straus also provides a number of free grammar tips and quizzes on her website.

References

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: The Apostrophe
• Oxford Dictionaries: Apostrophe