by Its
“Its” is a possessive form of the pronoun “it.” It is used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a thing or animal that is not masculine or feminine.
Here are some key points to remember about “its”:
- Possession: “Its” is used to show ownership or possession of something by an inanimate object, animal, or a concept. It does not indicate possession by a person.
Example sentences:
- The cat licked its paws.
- The book lost its cover.
- The company increased its profits.
- No apostrophe: Unlike other possessive pronouns like “his,” “hers,” or “theirs,” “its” does not use an apostrophe. The absence of the apostrophe distinguishes it from the contraction “it’s.”
Example sentences:
- The tree dropped its leaves.
- The car had its windows smashed.
- Referring back: “Its” is typically used when referring back to something that has been previously mentioned or is understood from the context.
Example sentences:
- The dog wagged its tail.
- The city showcased its cultural heritage.
It’s
“It’s” is a contraction of two words: “it” and either “is” or “has.”
Here are some key points to remember about “it’s”
- “It is“: The most common usage of “it’s” is as a contraction of “it is.” This form is used to express the state or condition of something or to describe an attribute or characteristic.
Example sentences
- It’s raining outside. (It is raining outside.)
- It’s a beautiful day. (It is a beautiful day.)
- It’s getting late. (It is getting late.)
- “It has“: “It’s” can also be a contraction of “it has,” indicating possession or past actions.
Example sentences
- It’s been a long day. (It has been a long day.)
- It’s got a flat tire. (It has got a flat tire.)
Important Difference Between Its and It’s
| “Its” | “It’s” | |
| Meaning | Possessive form of “it” | Contraction of “it is” or “it has” |
| Usage | Indicates ownership or association by an inanimate object or animal | Used to express a state, attribute, or possession |
| Apostrophe | No apostrophe | Uses an apostrophe to replace missing letters |
| Example Sentences | The dog wagged its tail (It is raining outside.) | It’s been a long day. (It has been a long day.) |
Key Difference Between Its and It’s
Here are key differences between “its” and “it’s”:
- Grammatical Function: “Its” functions as a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership or association. It is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a non-masculine or non-feminine object or animal. On the other hand, “it’s” functions as a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” serving as a verb phrase.
- Use with Nouns: “Its” is always followed by a noun to which it relates. It modifies the noun and shows that the noun possesses or is associated with something. In contrast, “it’s” is not followed by a noun but is used to introduce a clause or phrase providing information or description. Examples:
- The cat licked its paws. (“Its” refers to the paws of the cat.)
- It’s not necessary. (“It’s” introduces the clause “not necessary.”)
- Expansion: If you expand “it’s” in a sentence, it will be either “it is” or “it has.” Expanding “its” does not result in a meaningful expansion because “its” is already a possessive form and does not contract. Examples:
- It’s a sunny day. (It is a sunny day.)
- It’s been a while since we last met. (It has been a while since we last met.)
- The dog wagged its tail. (Expanding “its” does not result in a meaningful expansion.)
Similarities Between Its and It’s
Despite their differences, “its” and “it’s” do share some similarities. Here are a few:
- Pronoun “It“: Both “its” and “it’s” are derived from the pronoun “it.” They both refer to non-living objects, animals, or things without gender.
- Associated with “It“: Both forms are used to provide additional information or attributes related to the object or animal represented by “it.”
- Pronoun-Verb Combination: While they have different functions, both “its” and “it’s” involve a combination of the pronoun “it” with either a possessive form (“its”) or a verb phrase contraction (“it’s”).
- Common Usage: Both “its” and “it’s” are commonly used in written and spoken English, so understanding their proper usage is important for effective communication.
Conclusion Between Its and It’s
In conclusion, “its” and “it’s” are two forms derived from the pronoun “it” but have different functions and meanings.
“Its” is a possessive form that indicates ownership or association by a non-masculine or non-feminine object, animal, or concept. It is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with the noun it modifies.
“It’s” is a contraction of either “it is” or “it has.” It is used to simplify and shorten the sentence by combining the pronoun “it” with the verb “is” or “has.” “It’s” is used to express a state, attribute, possession, or past action.
