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Common mistake its vs. it's

Common Mistake: Its vs. It's

One of the most common grammar mistakes made in the English language is confusing the usage of "its" and "it's". While they may sound similar, they have different meanings and functions.

Its

"Its" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership or possession. It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with a particular thing or entity.

  • Example 1: The dog wagged its tail.
  • Example 2: The tree lost its leaves in the autumn.
  • Example 3: The company increased its profits this year.

It's

"It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has". This means that "it's" is used to shorten the phrase and combine the subject pronoun "it" with the respective conjugation of the verb "to be" or "to have".

  • Example 1: It's a beautiful day.
  • Example 2: It's been a long time since we last saw each other.
  • Example 3: It's important to take care of your health.

When unsure if you should use "its" or "it's", it may be helpful to expand the contraction and see if "it is" or "it has" makes sense in the context.

If you want to make sure your written English is correct, you can use an advanced grammar checker like Linguix that automatically detects and corrects mistakes related to "its" and "it's", as well as other common grammatical errors.

its vs. it's mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    Its gonna be great.

    Correct:
    It's gonna be great.

  • Incorrect:
    Its not working

    Correct:
    It's not working

  • Correct:
    Welcome to Google and its not working software.
  • Correct:
    Above all it's important to note they're disgusting.
  • Incorrect:
    For all it's wonderful moments of humor...

    Correct:
    For all its wonderful moments of humor...

  • Correct:
    After all it's my birthday weekend.
  • Correct:
    Above all it's important to note they're disgusting.
  • Incorrect:
    Amid it's wonderful moments of humor...

    Correct:
    Amid its wonderful moments of humor...

  • Incorrect:
    That's great but it's privacy policy sure is a lot easier to stomach.

    Correct:
    That's great but its privacy policy sure is a lot easier to stomach.

  • Incorrect:
    Yes, but it’s energy content is much less.

    Correct:
    Yes, but its energy content is much less.

  • Incorrect:
    It is a keypad but it’s primary function seems to be to switch between home and away modes.

    Correct:
    It is a keypad but its primary function seems to be to switch between home and away modes.

  • Correct:
    I enjoy the heck out of this game, but it’s okay if others don’t.
  • Correct:
    I was trying to access your expert report from your web site, but it's password protected.
  • Correct:
    I know there are some community solutions, but it’s high time there was a native SmartThings-supported option.
  • Correct:
    Fortunately we don’t load all the documents into memory, but it’s dog slow due to the sorting.
  • Correct:
    I’ve tried indoor walking to do the active 10(1000 steps in 10 minutes) x 3 but it’s mind numbingly boring.
  • Correct:
    A little smaller and darker, but it’s in much better fundamental shape than the top floor apartment.
  • Correct:
    But it's tea time.
  • Correct:
    But it's literal brain damage
  • Correct:
    Above all it's important to note they're disgusting.
  • Incorrect:
    For all it's perfection, I could not really like it.

    Correct:
    For all its perfection, I could not really like it.

  • Correct:
    I mean after all it's just a bandaid.
  • Correct:
    But all in all it's all good to be home again.
  • Correct:
    Second of all it's nine at night.
  • Correct:
    But most of all it's the atmosphere.
  • Correct:
    All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
  • Correct:
    Above all it's important to note they're disgusting.
  • Incorrect:
    Alongside it's coast, there were boats.

    Correct:
    Alongside its coast, there were boats.

  • Incorrect:
    Due to it's nature, a cat cannot fly.

    Correct:
    Due to its nature, a cat cannot fly.

  • Incorrect:
    But its free!

    Correct:
    But it's free!

  • Incorrect:
    Its me, your old friend from high school.

    Correct:
    It's me, your old friend from high school.

  • Correct:
    Conductor of an abelian variety, a description of its bad reduction.
  • Incorrect:
    Its cool man!

    Correct:
    It's cool man!

  • Incorrect:
    Its awesome man.

    Correct:
    It's awesome man.

  • Incorrect:
    Its you!

    Correct:
    It's you!

  • Incorrect:
    I can't believe its you.

    Correct:
    I can't believe it's you.

  • Correct:
    The album was ready for its US release.
  • Incorrect:
    Its u!

    Correct:
    It's you|It is you!

  • Incorrect:
    Its ur fault!

    Correct:
    It's your|It is your fault!

  • Incorrect:
    Its so good.

    Correct:
    It's so good.

  • Incorrect:
    Its nice.

    Correct:
    It's nice.

  • Correct:
    Please check its content.
  • Correct:
    Its new feature.
  • Correct:
    Japan claims the Northern Territories for its own.
  • Incorrect:
    Plus its awfully slow.

    Correct:
    Plus it's awfully slow.

  • Incorrect:
    We need some cool refreshments when its on.

    Correct:
    We need some cool refreshments when it's on.

  • Incorrect:
    Or its too individual?

    Correct:
    Or it's too individual?

  • Incorrect:
    Yes, it's hard to remember if its not everyday.

    Correct:
    Yes, it's hard to remember if it's not everyday.

  • Incorrect:
    Close the garage door once its docked.

    Correct:
    Close the garage door once it's docked.

  • Incorrect:
    Purely to save money - always smoked so dunno whether its beneficial.

    Correct:
    Purely to save money - always smoked so dunno whether it's beneficial.

  • Correct:
    Not mine but its own.
  • Incorrect:
    Its very cool.

    Correct:
    It's very cool.

  • Incorrect:
    Its okay

    Correct:
    It's okay

  • Incorrect:
    Its cool

    Correct:
    It's cool

  • Incorrect:
    Its very cool

    Correct:
    It's very cool

  • Incorrect:
    Its already there

    Correct:
    It's already there

  • Incorrect:
    Its totally cool

    Correct:
    It's totally cool

  • Incorrect:
    Oh its so great

    Correct:
    Oh it's so great

  • Incorrect:
    Plus its awfully slow

    Correct:
    Plus it's awfully slow

  • Incorrect:
    We need some cool refreshments when its on

    Correct:
    We need some cool refreshments when it's on

  • Incorrect:
    Yes, its hard

    Correct:
    Yes, it's hard

  • Incorrect:
    Maybe its wrong

    Correct:
    Maybe it's wrong

  • Correct:
    Not mine but its own
  • Incorrect:
    Yes its okay

    Correct:
    Yes it's okay

  • Incorrect:
    Its ready!

    Correct:
    It's ready!

  • Incorrect:
    Its very nice?

    Correct:
    It's very nice?

  • Incorrect:
    Its so awesome.

    Correct:
    It's so awesome.

  • Incorrect:
    Maybe its wrong.

    Correct:
    Maybe it's wrong.

  • Incorrect:
    When its ready.

    Correct:
    When it's ready.

  • Incorrect:
    Anyone know if its possible?

    Correct:
    Anyone know if it's possible?

  • Incorrect:
    Yep, its there.

    Correct:
    Yep, it's there.

  • Correct:
    Not mine but its own.
  • Incorrect:
    Its finally happening

    Correct:
    It's finally happening

  • Incorrect:
    Its finally happening!

    Correct:
    It's finally happening!

  • Incorrect:
    Can you post a sound clip when its happening?

    Correct:
    Can you post a sound clip when it's happening?

  • Incorrect:
    Its gonna be okay

    Correct:
    It's gonna be okay

  • Incorrect:
    Its about you.

    Correct:
    It's about you.

  • Incorrect:
    Its in there.

    Correct:
    It's in there.

  • Incorrect:
    In your case, its in the same dir as the command.

    Correct:
    In your case, it's in the same dir as the command.

  • Incorrect:
    In fact, its by far the most disabled rule.

    Correct:
    In fact, it's by far the most disabled rule.

  • Incorrect:
    Help is on it's way.

    Correct:
    Help is on its way.

  • Incorrect:
    Its where people walk around.

    Correct:
    It's where people walk around.

  • Incorrect:
    ... and ultimately its each to their own, but having thought about...

    Correct:
    ... and ultimately it's each to their own, but having thought about...

  • Incorrect:
    Of course, you know its each and every day that this problem occurs.

    Correct:
    Of course, you know it's each and every day that this problem occurs.

  • Correct:
    It has not yet found its way either into the pharmacopoeia.
  • Correct:
    Its vs. It's
  • Correct:
    London is counting iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace amongst its many attractions.
  • Correct:
    The Service has not said what its next step will be.
  • Correct:
    But mostly, I feel it because I see its poison working its way out of me and on to those around me as repercussions of my actions.
  • Correct:
    London is a necropolis, its every corner the site of a murder, its soil a pudding of blood and tears.
  • Correct:
    India is aiming to launch Chandrayaan-2, its first attempt to reach the moon.
  • Correct:
    Leading its first rally it went off the road...
  • Correct:
    ... into the American Le Mans Series; which ran its first season in 1999, the European races...
  • Correct:
    Its exponentially larger development at the end of the...
  • Correct:
    ..2013, Durham's Chester-le-Street ground will host its first Ashes Test match.
  • Correct:
    ... a brain which uses its each and every part in the smallest action we do.
  • Correct:
    CAPCO being an investment group uses its each bit of work on email...
  • Correct:
    It puts its all into it.
  • Correct:
    Wednesday had the company expanding its Half.com division to consumer electronics and sporting goods from books, music, movies and video games.
  • Incorrect:
    Its hard to explain.

    Correct:
    It's hard to explain.

  • Incorrect:
    Its better for him to go out.

    Correct:
    It's better for him to go out.

  • Incorrect:
    Its not working.

    Correct:
    It's not working.

  • Incorrect:
    Its removing the errors.

    Correct:
    It's removing the errors.

  • Correct:
    It was mainly because of its burgeoning economy.
  • Correct:
    No wonder Melissa responded so completely to its beckoning.
  • Correct:
    That may be extended to Cambridge and its surrounding countryside.
  • Correct:
    Quibi argues the numbers are only weak because its snacking format suffers in lockdown.
  • Correct:
    ... profiles which give a specific acoustic signal its defining character.
  • Correct:
    It would be decommissioned in March 1864, its surviving units combined into other corps.
  • Correct:
    ... remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes.
  • Correct:
    An inner class and its containing class are compiled.
  • Incorrect:
    Its OK.

    Correct:
    It's OK.

  • Incorrect:
    Well, its okay.

    Correct:
    Well, it's okay.

  • Incorrect:
    Well, its gonna take some time.

    Correct:
    Well, it's gonna take some time.

  • Incorrect:
    New Robot Reproduces on It's Own.

    Correct:
    New Robot Reproduces on Its Own.

  • Incorrect:
    The cat was on it's own in the large house.

    Correct:
    The cat was on its own in the large house.

  • Incorrect:
    The country's crisis was of it's own making.

    Correct:
    The country's crisis was of its own making.

  • Incorrect:
    I can’t remember it’s name.

    Correct:
    I can’t remember its name.

  • Correct:
    It's nice.
  • Correct:
    I think it's still valid.
  • Incorrect:
    Freeze it’s target.

    Correct:
    Freeze its target.

  • Correct:
    I think it's fast enough.
  • Incorrect:
    The cat has just stuck it's claw in my arm.

    Correct:
    The cat has just stuck its claw in my arm.

  • Correct:
    With DMA disabled it's possible to output with a high sampling frequency.
  • Correct:
    I know it's cliche but time really does go faster and faster the older you get.
  • Correct:
    I think it's PMS time.
  • Correct:
    They decided it’s best not to.
  • Incorrect:
    As far as apm is concerned, it has done it’s job.

    Correct:
    As far as apm is concerned, it has done its job.

  • Correct:
    When they do it’s kind of shocking.
  • Correct:
    I feel it's something I can do.
  • Correct:
    I can't believe it's birthday time again already!
  • Incorrect:
    What are it's benefits?

    Correct:
    What are its benefits?

  • Correct:
    I hope it's nothing serious.
  • Correct:
    I reckon it's time to wake up.
  • Correct:
    We can't do that cause it's plagiarism.
  • Correct:
    We can sell it like it's brand new.
  • Incorrect:
    RDF can also be used to express metaproperties of a thesaurus, such as it's title.

    Correct:
    RDF can also be used to express metaproperties of a thesaurus, such as its title.

  • Incorrect:
    There are so many things like about Coney Island, such as it's old-school charm.

    Correct:
    There are so many things like about Coney Island, such as its old-school charm.

  • Correct:
    We liked a lot about the biology course, such as its pace of learning.
  • Incorrect:
    I would still consider assembling it from all it's basic components.

    Correct:
    I would still consider assembling it from all its basic components.

  • Incorrect:
    From all it's windows streamed glorious banners.

    Correct:
    From all its windows streamed glorious banners.

  • Incorrect:
    I was confused by all it's footnotes.

    Correct:
    I was confused by all its footnotes.

  • Incorrect:
    We could borrow it's approach.

    Correct:
    We could borrow its approach.

  • Incorrect:
    It's approach was signaled by crunching leaves.

    Correct:
    Its approach was signaled by crunching leaves.

  • Correct:
    I was informed of its approach by the crunching leaves.
  • Incorrect:
    Linux at it's best

    Correct:
    Linux at its best

  • Incorrect:
    When some of it's clauses match.

    Correct:
    When some of its clauses match.

  • Incorrect:
    Don't judge a book by it's cover.

    Correct:
    Don't judge a book by its cover.

  • Incorrect:
    Its his uncle.

    Correct:
    It's his uncle.

  • Incorrect:
    Its a good opportunity.

    Correct:
    It's a good opportunity.

  • Incorrect:
    Its basically the best!

    Correct:
    It's basically the best!

  • Incorrect:
    Its an internal thing.

    Correct:
    It's an internal thing.

  • Incorrect:
    Its just a coincident.

    Correct:
    It's just a coincident.

  • Incorrect:
    Chris and Nick, I know its probably a long shot that the two of you will come, but thought I would try.

    Correct:
    Chris and Nick, I know it's probably a long shot that the two of you will come, but thought I would try.

  • Correct:
    Currently, there are fifteen records on its A list and twenty on its B list.
  • Correct:
    Its first mine, north of town on the river's west side, was exhausted by 1873.
  • Correct:
    Glace Bay, the second largest urban community in population, was the island's main coal mining centre until its last mine closed in the 1980s.
  • Correct:
    In July 2007, Raytheon announced that it was developing a Next Generation Radar (RANGR) based on its earlier AN/APG-79 AESA radar as a competitor to Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-68 and AN/APG-80 for the F-16.
  • Correct:
    Scene from It's a Boy Girl Thing
  • Incorrect:
    This lovely and interesting area with it's friendly people will make a welcoming break

    Correct:
    This lovely and interesting area with its friendly people will make a welcoming break

  • Incorrect:
    In it's heyday it was a bustling port.

    Correct:
    In its heyday it was a bustling port.

  • Incorrect:
    She had trouble with it's tiny buttons.

    Correct:
    She had trouble with its tiny buttons.

  • Incorrect:
    And above it's veranda loomed an ominous cloud.

    Correct:
    And above its veranda loomed an ominous cloud.

  • Correct:
    It's going to rain.
  • Correct:
    It may even lead to its going out of business.
  • Incorrect:
    Its going to be sunny tomorrow.

    Correct:
    It's going to be sunny tomorrow.

  • Correct:
    It's had a huge impact on me.
  • Incorrect:
    And its had a mention at the Labour Party Conference this morning.

    Correct:
    And it's|it has had a mention at the Labour Party Conference this morning.

  • Incorrect:
    Its been raining for a week, and now its starting to snow.

    Correct:
    It's|It has been raining for a week, and now its starting to snow.

  • Correct:
    From its too short shirt, to his eyes that moved around in its eye sockets: this was by far the creepiest mascot I have ever seen.
  • Incorrect:
    Sorry, but its too late.

    Correct:
    Sorry, but it's too late.

  • Incorrect:
    Its too good to be true.

    Correct:
    It's too good to be true.

  • Incorrect:
    It does this by providing it's own open source based products.

    Correct:
    It does this by providing its own open source based products.

  • Incorrect:
    Nevertheless, I'm emphasizing it's kind of problem is not the same as the problems of other disambiguators.

    Correct:
    Nevertheless, I'm emphasizing its kind of problem is not the same as the problems of other disambiguators.

  • Correct:
    Well, you know, kinda strange though, considering it's not Christmas.
  • Correct:
    I've been hearing it's supposed to snow tonight.
  • Correct:
    I'm assuming it's a suicide.
  • Correct:
    It starts slowly - once running it's difficult to stop.
  • Correct:
    I am really emotional; when crying it's difficult to stop.
  • Correct:
    And while I'm reading it's kind of hard to listen to you.
  • Correct:
    Nevertheless, I'm emphasizing it's kind of her to do that.
  • Correct:
    During the opening it's easy to do it.
  • Incorrect:
    This is an opportunity to see how SAP addresses it's internal developers.

    Correct:
    This is an opportunity to see how SAP addresses its internal developers.

  • Incorrect:
    Constant company wears out it's welcome.

    Correct:
    Constant company wears out its welcome.

  • Correct:
    Who says it's going to be published?
  • Correct:
    For the first fifteen or twenty minutes, it's possible to be more or less interested.
  • Correct:
    For the first fifteen or twenty minutes it's possible to be more or less interested.
  • Correct:
    He thinks it's funny too.
  • Correct:
    After work it is just too hard, and during weekends it's just too far away.
  • Correct:
    I've been waved off so many times it's hard to overcome my conditioning.
  • Correct:
    It seems it's like a flu shot.
  • Correct:
    LT marks "it's" and suggests it's incorrect and should be "its" but then doesn't highlight that it be changed back.
  • Correct:
    My mom claims it's radiation.
  • Correct:
    I think at times it's very easy to be overwhelmed by facts and figures.
  • Correct:
    It depends whose hands it's in.
  • Correct:
    And the funny thing is it's okay.
  • Correct:
    And when you're with a big group of friends it's even more fun.
  • Correct:
    It looks like it's just the two of us.
  • Correct:
    In such cases it's often a good idea to think twice.
  • Correct:
    The admission costs six euros but on Sundays it's free.
  • Correct:
    Melatonin, the hormone that signals it’s time to sleep.
  • Correct:
    Comparison to the engine in Office 365 shows it's very similar.
  • Correct:
    Comparison to the engine in Office 365 shows it's similar.
  • Correct:
    See why Neil believes it's important to have a personal trainer.
  • Correct:
    Yes, well, that just proves it's nothing but the firing of neurons.
  • Correct:
    But it turns out it's free.
  • Correct:
    And then he recognizes it's Bob.
  • Correct:
    He ensures it's ideal for them.
  • Correct:
    Tom believes it's simpler than that.
  • Incorrect:
    No one has ever seen it's eyes.

    Correct:
    No one has ever seen its eyes.

  • Incorrect:
    I can see it's eyes.

    Correct:
    I can see its eyes.

  • Incorrect:
    She didn't feel it's presence.

    Correct:
    She didn't feel its presence.

  • Incorrect:
    You have to see it's data.

    Correct:
    You have to see its data.

  • Correct:
    It helps to know it's true.
  • Correct:
    I don't think it's anything to laugh about.
  • Correct:
    I don't think it's Tom who has a problem.
  • Correct:
    I don't think it's Tom's problem.
  • Correct:
    I don't think it's anything we need to worry about.
  • Correct:
    I don't think it's Tom.
  • Correct:
    I'm glad to hear it's going better.
  • Correct:
    It's had a huge impact on me.
  • Incorrect:
    And its so hard to beat him.

    Correct:
    And it's so hard to beat him.

  • Incorrect:
    Its difficult to study physics.

    Correct:
    It's difficult to study physics.

  • Correct:
    The "Paris Rulebook" won't be enough on its own to stop carbon pollution from reaching critical levels.
  • Incorrect:
    For the painting, it's reddest area was in the upper left.

    Correct:
    For the painting, its reddest area was in the upper left.

  • Incorrect:
    No one had any remedies for it's crazy rantings.

    Correct:
    No one had any remedies for its crazy rantings.

  • Incorrect:
    The frog told a story about it's happy childhood in the river.

    Correct:
    The frog told a story about its happy childhood in the river.

  • Incorrect:
    I wanted so badly to take it's apple and throw it through the window.

    Correct:
    I wanted so badly to take its apple and throw it through the window.

  • Incorrect:
    This doe snot mean that I like you.

    Correct:
    This does not mean that I like you.

  • Incorrect:
    I appreciated it's odorless handshake by the fifth time.

    Correct:
    I appreciated its odorless handshake by the fifth time.

  • Incorrect:
    Note also that because it's rich text is illustrated with stunning graphics, the book is perfect for your coffee table.

    Correct:
    Note also that because its rich text is illustrated with stunning graphics, the book is perfect for your coffee table.

  • Incorrect:
    ... and it's rich text, stunning graphics, and low price make the book the perfect present.

    Correct:
    ... and its rich text, stunning graphics, and low price make the book the perfect present.

  • Correct:
    I appreciate its odorless handshake by the fifth time.
  • Correct:
    It's good news.
  • Correct:
    Since it's rich text, you can do things like turn a selection...
  • Correct:
    ... because it's rich text it shows the...
  • Correct:
    ... because it's rich text, your editor will show the...
  • Correct:
    It's official punishment.
  • Correct:
    But only because it's expensive medication that I'm waiting for.
  • Correct:
    But it’s huge news for Europe and has indirect consequences for the US.
  • Correct:
    Yeah, it's impressive kind of.
  • Incorrect:
    Yes, its that simple.

    Correct:
    Yes, it's that simple.

  • Incorrect:
    It's door is too small.

    Correct:
    Its door is too small.

  • Correct:
    Its door is too small.
  • Correct:
    It's what is keeping us busy.
  • Correct:
    It's weird isn't it?
  • Incorrect:
    Kentucky State University formally installs Brown as it's 18th president

    Correct:
    Kentucky State University formally installs Brown as its 18th president

  • Incorrect:
    I have decided that its time to leave.

    Correct:
    I have decided that it's time to leave.

  • Incorrect:
    I think its time for lunch.

    Correct:
    I think it's time for lunch.

  • Correct:
    The government has taken its time to catch up with the digital economy.
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