Its vs It’s: Difference and Comparison

“Its” is a possessive pronoun, denoting ownership or association with a noun, such as “The dog wagged its tail.” On the other hand, “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” exemplified by “It’s time to go” or “It’s been a long day.” The apostrophe signifies the omission of letters, distinguishing it from the possessive form.

Key Takeaways

1. “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has” and is used to indicate a state or action.
2. “Its” is a possessive pronoun, showing ownership or association with something.
3. To choose the correct form, consider whether the intended meaning requires a contraction or a possessive pronoun.

Its vs It’s

The difference between the words it’s and its is the state of the words. It is a contraction of the words ‘it is, or it has’, which makes it a combination of a pronoun and a helping verb, hence a fragment. On the other hand, it is a possessive pronoun of the third-person singular pronoun.

---

 

Comparison Table

Feature	Its	It’s
Function	Possessive pronoun	Contraction of “it is” or “it has”
Apostrophe	No apostrophe	Has an apostrophe (')
Example	The dog wagged its tail. (The tail belongs to the dog)	It’s a beautiful day. (Contraction of “it is”)
Sound	Identical to “its”	Identical to “eats”

---

 

What is the Meaning of Its?

“Its” is a pronoun used to indicate possession or association. It signifies that something belongs to or is connected with the subject previously mentioned.

Characteristics of “Its”

1. Possessive Pronoun:
   • “Its” functions as a possessive pronoun, similar to “his,” “her,” or “their,” but specifically used for inanimate objects or animals.
   • Example: “The tree shed its leaves in autumn.”
2. No Apostrophe:
   • Unlike the contraction “it’s” (short for “it is” or “it has”), “its” does not include an apostrophe.
   • The absence of an apostrophe distinguishes it as a possessive pronoun rather than a contraction.
   • Example: “The cat groomed its fur.”
3. Indicates Ownership or Association:
   • “Its” denotes ownership or a connection between an object and its characteristic or attribute.
   • Example: “The car lost its tire on the highway.”
4. Used with Inanimate Objects and Animals:
   • While “his” and “her” are used for humans and “their” is used for plural nouns, “its” is specifically applied to objects, animals, and sometimes abstract concepts.
   • Example: “The building reached its highest point.”

 

What is the Meaning of It’s?

“It’s” is a contraction of either “it is” or “it has.” It combines the pronoun “it” with either the verb “is” or “has,” resulting in a shortened form commonly used in informal or casual writing.

Characteristics of “It’s”

1. Contraction:
   • “It’s” is a contraction, formed by combining the pronoun “it” with either the verb “is” or “has.”
   • The apostrophe replaces the omitted letter(s) from the original words.
   • Example: “It’s raining outside,” where “It’s” stands for “It is.”
2. Indicates Verb Conjugation:
   • When “it’s” is used, it signifies a specific action or state attributed to the subject “it.”
   • Example: “It’s been a long day,” where “It’s” stands for “It has.”
3. Used in Informal Language:
   • “It’s” is commonly used in casual or conversational language, both spoken and written.
   • It is less formal than using the complete forms “it is” or “it has.”
   • Example: “It’s time to go,” where “It’s” stands for “It is.”
4. Differentiation from “Its”:
   • The presence of an apostrophe in “it’s” distinguishes it from the possessive pronoun “its.”
   • While “it’s” indicates a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” “its” signifies possession or association.
   • Example: “It’s raining outside” (contraction of “it is”) versus “The dog wagged its tail” (possessive form).

---

Main Differences Between It and It’s

• Possession vs. Contraction:
  • “Its” indicates possession or association, showing that something belongs to or is connected with the subject.
  • “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” representing a shortened form used to express a specific action or state.
• Apostrophe Usage:
  • “Its” does not contain an apostrophe, distinguishing it as a possessive pronoun.
  • “It’s” includes an apostrophe, replacing omitted letters from the original words “it is” or “it has.”
• Usage with Inanimate Objects/Animals vs. Verb Conjugation:
  • “Its” is used with inanimate objects or animals to denote ownership or association.
  • “It’s” indicates verb conjugation, representing an action or state attributed to the subject “it.”
• Formality:
  • “Its” is more formal and used in contexts requiring clarity and precision regarding possession.
  • “It’s” is commonly employed in informal or conversational language, offering a more relaxed tone.

References

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/its
2. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/it’s

Last Updated : 07 March, 2024