How to Correctly Use 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 those two tiny words can be seen everywhere--web pages, newspapers, the junk mail you receive every day and memos from your boss. That doesn’t make it right. Try these easy steps and get over your mental block about its and it’s, once and for all.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

“Its” Defies the Rules

1. Its (without the apostrophe) is used to indicate possession. In another words, it 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.” But the confounding and mysterious English language changes the rules for us in mid-stream.

3. Study these examples: The dog has lost its bone. The cat licks its fur. Look! That car is losing its bumper! (Hint: They’re all correct!)

Understanding “It’s”

4. 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: you’re (you are), “I’m” (I am), and they’re (they are). Got it? Let’s move on.

5. As a mental test, separate the word 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. (It is a wonderful life.) It’s a boy! (It is a boy!) I think it’s a colossal waste of time. (I think it is a colossal waste of time.) See? The examples work.

6. Now every time you write a sentence using it’s, try separating the word in your head to see if you’ve used it correctly. Remember: it’s = it is. Practice for several months until it 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.

Resources

• Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
• Eats, Shoots & Leaves Website

[NYLady]

on 8/28/2008 Thanks for the comment! I have another one on here somewhere -- there, their and they're. Here's to (proper) grammar!

[Veesites]

on 8/28/2008 Great article about one of my pet peeves. Thanks.