How to Use its and it's
People often confuse the two. After all, they sound just alike, don't they? Spell check doesn't address it as they are both words spelled correctly in their proper place. Yet, they have two completely different meanings. Knowing when to use which form is imperative to effective writing. This will give you some steps and short cuts to use the right form, whether it be its or it's, in all your writing!
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Instructions
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1
Use "its" to show possession and use "it's" only as a contraction for "it is" (or "it has" on rare occasion). However, knowing the details and reasons why can help you permanently fix the confusion and second guessing in your writing when you are away from a reference guide for double checking.
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2
Understand that "It's" is always a contraction. Despite the tradition in English language to use "'s" to show possession (like dog's or Steve's), this is the exception. "It's" is never used to show possession. Use "it's" only as a contraction for "it is" or "it has."
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3
Understand that "Its" is used to show possession. Never does it have an apostrophe. It's the exception to the rule, which probably explains the mass confusion.
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4
Try putting "it is" in the place of the word you are using if the facts of the matter fail you in your time of grammar need. If "it is" does not make sense in the sentence, use "its." Try out a sentence like: "The dog couldn't stop wagging its tail." Putting "it is" into that sentence makes no sense. It would read "The dog coudln't stop wagging it is tail." Right away, you have your answer.
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5
Practice, practice, practice. Your grammar can be forever improved with a bit of forward thinking. Right here and now, get out your word processing program, and start practicing sentences with either. Try the replacing techniques in Step 4. Try not to look until you've done much practice, then check yourself.
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Tips & Warnings
"Its" is usually followed by a noun.
"It's" is usually (not always) followed by an adjective.
"It's" can always be replaced with "it is" in a sentence.
Try replacing the "its" with his in a sentence. If it still sounds right, your hunch was correct!
