Its vs It’s
What’s the difference between them?
Its
Meaning:
This is a possessive pronoun used to indicate possession or ownership.
Examples:
1. Its wings were the color of midnight.
2. Its bark was rough and splintered.
3. Its tail dragged along the floor.
It’s
Meaning:
It's is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'.
Examples:
1. It's time for lunch.
2. It's been a long day.
3. It's not what it seems.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Its
1. It
2. Itself
3. That
4. Its own
5. Such
1. Them
2. That
3. Those
4. Theirs
5. Not Its
It’s
1. It is
2. It has
3. That is
4. That has
5. It was
1. It isn't
2. Not here
3. Away
4. Disappeared
5. No longer present
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Its", "It’s".
1. 'Its' is a possessive pronoun.
2. 'It’s' is a contraction of the words 'it' and 'is.'
3. To remember the difference, think of 'it’s' as 'it is' and 'its' as belonging to 'it.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
'Its' should be used to show possession or ownership, typically in the context of an animal or object. For example, 'The dog wagged its tail.'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
'It’s' is used to indicate a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. For example, 'It’s been raining all morning.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
Common mistakes people make when using these words include confusing 'its' with 'it’s'. As a general rule, if you’re unsure which one to use, try replacing the word with 'it is' or 'it has' to determine the correct usage.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. ________ going to rain later in the evening.
2. The cat licked ________ paw.
3. I think ________ time we left for the party.
4. The company is known for ________ commitment to sustainability.
5. ________ been ages since we last met.
6. The plant needs more sunlight; ________ leaves are turning yellow.
1. Its going to rain later in the evening.
Explanation: Its is a contraction for it is. The sentence predicts or states a fact about the future, so it is makes sense here.
2. The cat licked its paw.
Explanation: Here, we need the possessive form of it to show ownership. The paw belongs to the cat, so its is the correct choice.
3. I think its time we left for the party.
Explanation: In this case, its is a contraction for it is, indicating the suggestion or opinion that the current moment is the right time to leave.
4. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability.
Explanation: The sentence refers to the commitment that belongs to or is characteristic of the company, making its (the possessive pronoun) the right choice.
5. Its been ages since we last met.
Explanation: Here, its stands for it has. The sentence is expressing the amount of time that has passed since the last meeting.
6. The plant needs more sunlight; its leaves are turning yellow.
Explanation: The sentence refers to the leaves that belong to the plant, so the possessive form its is the correct choice.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.