There are some grammar mistakes that really stand out and give readers a bad impression. Confusing its and it's is one of those mistakes.
In the case of its and it's, confusion often occurs because apostrophes sometimes indicate ownership:
- the cat's tail
- the dog's bowl
This common use of the apostrophe to make a noun possessive makes us think that the word "it's" has something to do with ownership. It does not!
Its is most often a possessive adjective, and just like other possessive adjectives like my, his and her, it doesn't need an apostrophe:
- her tail
- his bowl
- my forehead
- its paw
The secret to remembering the difference is simple: just remember what apostrophes are for! An apostrophe can be use to make a noun possessive, but it is also used to replace letters that we leave off when we create contractions. If you concentrate on this rule when you proofread, you can remember that it's is short for it is.
Tip: As you read over any draft of your writing, stop on any word that has an apostrophe and do a mental check. Ask yourself if the apostrophe is there to form a contraction or to indicate a possessive form.
If you come across the word it's, replace the word mentally with "it is." Does the sentence still make sense?
