There’s only an apostrophe difference between "Its" and "It’s", but they are used in two very different contexts. The English language is full of nuances, and one of the most common stumbling blocks is the difference between "its" and "it’s". At first glance, the only distinction is a tiny apostrophe, but this small mark carries a big responsibility.
Using these words incorrectly can lead to confusion, miscommunication, or even embarrassing mistakes. Today, we’ll explore the difference between its vs it’s, how to remember which one to use, and whether there’s a way to avoid the confusion altogether.
Difference Between Its And It’s
If you use the wrong its in a sentence—say, while writing an email to your professor or boss—things could take a wrong turn. Imagine intending to write "It’s important to submit the report on time" but instead writing "Its important to submit the report on time." That tiny mistake can make your message look unprofessional or confusing, potentially undermining your credibility.
The difference between its and it’s is simple: its shows ownership (like his or her), while it’s is short for it is or it has. To avoid mix-ups, replace it’s with it is or it has in your sentence—if it fits, you’re good to go. Otherwise, stick with its. Getting this right can save you from awkward misunderstandings and keep your writing sharp.
When to use its
Its is a determiner—a little word that helps specify what we’re talking about, like a, the, or every. It shows ownership or belonging, just like his or her.
Use its when you’re talking about something that belongs to or is associated with an object, animal, or thing.
For example, if you’re describing a car’s color or a cat’s tail, its is your go-to word. It’s all about possession, no apostrophe needed!
When to use it’s
It’s is a contraction—a shorter way of saying something by combining or abbreviating words. In this case, it’s short for it is or it has.
Use it’s when you mean it is or it has.
For example, if you’re saying it’s time to go or it’s been a long day, the apostrophe is your clue that you’re combining words. Think of it as a shortcut for smoother, quicker writing!
Tips to Keep in Mind
1. Avoid Common Pitfalls
Don’t use an apostrophe for possession with "its".
Many people mistakenly add an apostrophe to show possession (e.g., the dog wagged it’s tail), but this is incorrect. Remember: its is already possessive, so no apostrophe is needed.
Don’t confuse "it’s" with "its".
If you’re unsure, try replacing it’s with it is or it has. If the sentence still makes sense, you’re using the correct form. If not, switch to its.
2. Formal vs. Informal Writing
In formal writing (like academic papers or professional emails), always use it’s and its correctly. Mistakes here can make your writing seem less polished.
In informal writing (like texts or social media), people might overlook small errors, but it’s still a good habit to get it right. Plus, it’ll save you from potential misunderstandings!
3. Exceptions and Tricky Cases
Its’ is never correct.
Some people think adding an apostrophe after the s (e.g., its’) is a way to show possession, but this is wrong. Stick to its for possession and it’s for contractions.
Its is only used for objects, animals, or things—not people.
For people, we use his, her, or their.
For example:
Correct: The cat licked its paws.
Incorrect: The cat licked his paws. (unless the cat has a specific gender and you know it’s male)
4. Practice Makes Perfect
The more you write and pay attention to its and it’s, the easier it’ll become to use them correctly. Over time, you’ll start to recognize which one fits naturally in a sentence without even thinking about it.
Its or It’s? WPS Office AI Spell Check Helps You Avoid the Mix-Up
Catching on to tricky grammar mistakes is hard, and just when you think you’ve finally got the hang of it, a little apostrophe can slip through the cracks—either out of habit or oversight. You can’t really blame yourself; even the best writers make these errors. But you can take precautions and WPS Office is your best shot at it, offering a powerful, AI-integrated spell check tool that not only catches the little mistakes and oversights but also understands context, making it a must-have for writers.
Unlike traditional spell checkers that simply highlight errors with a red squiggly line, WPS Office’s tool goes above and beyond. It analyzes the context of your writing, ensuring that corrections are accurate and meaningful. Whether it’s passive voice, subject-verb agreement, or even the subtle difference between its and it’s, WPS has your back. It doesn’t just fix mistakes—it improves clarity, making your writing polished and professional.
Sure, tools like Grammarly and others are effective, but they’re not foolproof, and they often come with a hefty price tag. WPS Office, on the other hand, offers its advanced AI spell-check feature as part of its free package. Even if you upgrade to premium features, it remains incredibly affordable compared to other options on the market.
How to Use WPS Office AI Spell Check
WPS AI Spell Check is integrated into the WPS Writer app, making it easier to draft error-free documents. Here’s how to activate and use it effectively:
Step 1: Open your document in WPS Writer and go to the “Review” tab.
Step 2: Click on "AI Spell Check" in the Review section to activate the spell checker.
Step 3: A panel will appear on the right side, displaying suggested corrections. To apply all changes at once, simply click "Accept All".
Step 4: For manual review, click on the words underlined in red within your document. Suggested corrections will appear, and you can hit "Accept" to apply individual changes.
How to Download WPS Office AI Spell Check
A smoother writing experience began with the WPS Office AI Spell Checker, and it was easy to get up and running:
Step 1: Launch your web browser and go to the WPS Office website to download the setup file.
Step 2: For the next step, simply click the "Get it Now" button to begin with the downloading process.
Step 3: The file will download automatically. Once finished, double-click the file to start installing WPS Office.
Step 4: After the installation is done, simply open WPS Office and start using it.
FAQs
Q1. Can "it's" ever show possession?
No, "it's" can never show possession. You should always use "its" when showing possession.
Q2. Is there a quick way to remember the difference between "its" and "it's"?
A simple way to remember: "It's" with an apostrophe means "it is" or "it has." "Its" without an apostrophe shows ownership or possession.
Q3. Is "its" used like "his" or "her"?
Yes, "its" functions similarly to "his" or "her" when indicating possession, but it is typically used for inanimate objects or animals when the gender is unspecified. For example, "The cat licked its paw."
Your Go-To Tool for Error-Free Writing
Using its and it’s incorrectly might seem like a small mistake, but it can lead to confusion, miscommunication, or even embarrassing moments. Who wants to risk sending an email with the wrong its and leave a less-than-professional impression? Thankfully, you don’t have to stress over these details when you have WPS Office on your side.
WPS Office’s AI-powered spell check doesn’t just catch obvious errors—it understands context, ensuring that even the trickiest grammar rules are handled with precision. Whether it’s the difference between its and it’s, passive voice, or subject-verb agreement, WPS ensures your writing is polished and professional. Why spend extra on third-party tools when WPS Office provides everything you need in one place? From catching pesky apostrophe errors to enhancing your overall writing.
