Grammar Tip #2: Its vs. It’s

This is another one of my pet peeves. As more and more people rely on spell checkers instead of editors, this type of mistake is becoming commonplace.

It can be confusing, but it really is quite simple.  Here is the basic rule:

Use it’s (with an apostrophe) when you mean it is or it has.  In this case, the word it’s is a contraction, like isn’t or won’t.

Examples

It’s a beautiful day.

I like this movie because it’s funny.
It's been a long winter.

Use its (without an apostrophe) when you mean belonging to it.  In this case, the word its is a pronoun (possessive pronoun to be exact), like the word his or her.

Examples

The cat licked its fur.

Nebraska is known for its friendly people.

Hard work has its rewards.

If it helps, you can ask yourself this question: Can I substitute his or her for its in the sentence (even though it may not quite make sense).

For instance, although it doesn't totally make sense, you could say

The cat licked her fur.

Nebraska is known for his friendly people.

Hard work has her rewards.

But it would be ridiculous to say:

His a beautiful day.

I like this movie because her funny.
His been a long winter.

The usage of its can be especially confusing because if you were to use the noun instead of its, you would use an apostrophe: “the cat’s fur,” “Nebraska’s friendly people,” “hard work’s rewards.”  But think again of the words his and her, or other possessive pronouns: my, your, our, their. None of them use an apostrophe.  Because its is a possessive pronoun, it does not have an apostrophe either.