It’s vs Its

 

It’s vs Its

 

It’s 

= a contraction (shortened version) of “it is” or “it has”

Ex:  “It’s” been a long time. = It has been a long time.

 

Ex:  “It’s” time to go. = It is time to go.

Ex: “It’s” very good = it is very good.

Its

= the possessive form of “it”

Ex:  The bird lost some of “its” feathers.

 

Ex: I saw a famous Pablo Picasso painting during “its” tour of America.

 

Ex: The company celebrated “its” 100th anniversary.

*Basically,  it’s confusing because in almost every English word  that ends with  (‘s) is a possessive, but “it’s” is NOT a possessive.

*An easy test is to try to replace the word with “it is” or “it has.”  If you can replace it, then “it’s” is correct.  If not then “its” is correct.

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