The Short answer is this: it’s means it is or it has, while its shows possession.
I’ve personally reread messages just to double-check its or it’s, and I know I’m not alone. This is one of the most searched English grammar questions because apostrophes usually show ownership except here. That single punctuation mark flips the meaning entirely, and one small mistake can make your writing look careless, especially in emails, exams, blogs, or professional documents.
People search this keyword because autocorrect doesn’t always help, and spoken English doesn’t reveal the difference. In this article, I’ll break it down in the simplest way possible.
I’ll explain the rule, show real-life examples, highlight common mistakes, and give you confidence to choose the right word every time.
Its or It’s: Quick Answer
- It’s = it is or it has
Example: It’s raining today. (It is raining) - Its = shows possession (belonging to it)
Example: The dog wagged its tail.
My go-to trick:
👉 If you can replace it with “it is”, use it’s
👉 If not, use its
The Origin of Its or It’s
The confusion exists because English broke its own pattern.
- It’s follows a normal rule: apostrophes replace missing letters.
It is → it’s - Its follows a different rule: possessive pronouns don’t use apostrophes.
Examples: his, hers, theirs, its
Historically, English avoided apostrophes in possessive pronouns to keep them clean and distinct. That’s why its behaves like his, not like cat’s. This exception is the root of all confusion.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for its and it’s. The rules are exactly the same.
| Feature | British English | American English |
| It’s (it is / has) | Same | Same |
| Its (possessive) | Same | Same |
| Apostrophe rule | Same | Same |
| Common mistakes | Same | Same |
The mistake is global, not regional.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Always decide based on meaning, not location.
- US audience: Follow the contraction vs possession rule.
- UK/Commonwealth audience: Same rule applies.
- Global writing (SEO, blogs): Accuracy matters more than accent.
If your sentence talks about ownership, choose its.
If it expands to it is or it has, choose it’s.
Common Mistakes with Its or It’s
Here are mistakes I see every day:
❌ The company changed it’s policy.
✅ The company changed its policy.
❌ Its going to be a long day.
✅ It’s going to be a long day.
❌ The phone lost it’s signal.
✅ The phone lost its signal.
Why this happens:
People think apostrophes always show possession. But with pronouns, they don’t.
Its or It’s in Everyday Examples
Emails
- Please check its attachment before sending.
- It’s important to reply on time.
News
- The country revised its economic policy.
- It’s expected to impact inflation.
Social Media
- Wow, it’s amazing!
- The cat knows its way home.
Formal Writing
- Each system has its limitations.
- It s essential to follow protocol.
Its or It’s: Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest for “its or it’s” remains consistently high worldwide.
- Students search it before exams.
- Professionals search it while drafting emails.
- Content writers search it to avoid credibility loss.
Countries with high English usage like the US, UK, India, Pakistan, Canada, and Australia show steady search volume. This proves the confusion isn’t going away, making clarity more important than ever.
Comparison Table: Its vs It’s
| Feature | Its | It’s |
| Meaning | Possession | It is / It has |
| Apostrophe | No | Yes |
| Part of speech | Possessive pronoun | Contraction |
| Example | The car lost its value | It’s getting late |
| Replaceable with “it is”? | No | Yes |
FAQs: Its or It’s
1. Is “its” ever wrong?
Yes if you mean it is or it has.
2. Is “it’s” ever possessive?
No. Never.
3. Why doesn’t “its” have an apostrophe?
Because possessive pronouns don’t use apostrophes.
4. Can a sentence have both?
Yes. It’s clear the dog loves its owner.
5. Does autocorrect catch this?
Often no, because both forms are correct words.
6. Is this mistake serious?
In professional writing, yes it affects credibility.
Conclusion
I’ve learned that mastering its or it’s is less about grammar rules and more about awareness. Once you remember that it’s always expands to “it is” or “it has” and its always shows ownership, the confusion disappears. This tiny detail has a big impact on how your writing is judged. Emails sound sharper, articles look more professional, and exam answers feel more confident.
Even fluent English speakers slip up here, so getting it right instantly puts you ahead. My advice is simple: pause for one second, try the “it is” test, and choose wisely. With practice, this will become automatic and you’ll never doubt its or it’s again.
I am Sidney Greenbaum, a linguist who studied how English is actually used, not just how it is taught. I analyzed sentence structure and word differences to make English clearer and more practical. My research helped learners understand real-world English comparisons.