Correct Grammar: Is it Its or It’s?

I have become very interested in grammar since I have started writing. It is amazing how much information our brain loses over time. I already examined the use of literally and figuratively. This article will look at another common grammar violation: the use of its and it’s.

Unfortunately, I have just learned that I was one of the people using this word incorrectly. I have been telling people for years that you never use it’s. I could swear that this was what my college English professor told me. I guess not. Along with the overuse and misuse of the word literally, and the abomination of the word irregardless, which I am still planning on investigating, its and it’s are at the top of the chart when it comes to bad grammar. Let’s see what each word actually means.

Correct Grammar of its and it’s: The Definition of Its

Its is the possessive form of it.

Examples of the correct usage of its:

The cat carried its kittens.

The dog lost its ball while the cat carried its kittens.

The goose attacked its victim while the dog lost its ball while the cat carried its kittens.

Correct Grammar of its and it’s: The Definition of It’s

It’s is a contraction of it is or it has.

Examples of the correct usage of it’s:

It’s stopped raining.

It’s time to go since it’s stopped raining.

It’s too bad it’s time to go since it’s stopped raining.

Correct Grammar of its and it’s: The Cause of the Confusion

We normally use an apostrophe to signify possession. For example, Jennifer’s hat or the cat’s kittens. When you are using its to replace the person or object who is in possession, then you do not use the apostrophe, hence you have its kittens.

I think that what my college English teacher explained, and I failed to understand, is that you never use an apostrophe unless you are making a contraction, such as it is or it has, which both equal it’s.

So, one final example:

It’s sad that the cat lost its kittens and it’s raining outside. I hope it’s not going to last long before it’s finished.

Correct Grammar of its and it’s: One final note

It is important for you to recognized the difference between its and it’s. We all rely heavily on our computer’s spell check program, but the truth is that the spell checker is not very good at its job. It’s up to you!