ITS or IT’S? Never confuse these forms again (with video!)
Do you know how to use ITS or IT’S correctly? The little apostrophe makes such a huge difference. In this post we are going to break this down step by step to make sure that you no longer confuse these forms. I’ve also embedded a link to my YouTube video for some additional learning. Let’s get started!
Its or It’s? Apostrophe? or No apostrophe?
The apostrophe is so small, but it makes such a huge difference.
Basics:
its = possessive
it’s = it is
it’s = it has
TIP: When we use the apostrophe, there are two words: ‘it is’ or ‘it has’.
With no apostrophe, there is only one word.
The pronunciation is the same for all of these.
its = possessive for things or animals
Let’s compare this to other possessives:
my hair is brown
your hair is brown
his hair is brown
her hair is brown
its hair is brown
our hair is brown
their hair is brown
(Yes, we can use ‘his/her’ with animals, but sometimes we use ‘its’.)
Examples:
I have a beautiful tree in my yard. Its leaves are red and gold.
(The tree’s leaves are red and gold.)
I watched a great movie last night. Its ending was so exciting.
(the movie’s ending)
I don’t like this bag. Its color is a big weird.
(the bag’s color)
I go to this really expensive gym now. Its facilities are excellent.
(the gym’s facilities)
I’ve been to Croatia many times. Its coastline is stunning.
(Croatia’s coastline)
So why does ‘its’ confuse so many people?
Normally we form the possessive with ‘apostrophe s’.
the tree’s leaves
the movie’s ending
the bag’s colour
the gym’s facilities
Arnel’s everyday English
My mom’s credit card.
BUT! There is no apostrophe with its.
correct: My frog’s skin is green.
correct: Its skin is green.
incorrect: It’s skin is green.
It’s = it is
Wow, it’s already 3 o’clock. = It is already 3 o’clock.
It’s raining. = It is raining.
It’s hard learning a new language. = It is hard learning a new language.
I don’t like this soup. It’s too salty. = It is too salty
My laptop is a bit old. It’s getting a bit old. = It is getting old.
A: Sorry I didn’t hear you.
B: I said ‘it’s getting colder’. = It is getting colder.
It’s = it has
We use it’s when we are using the present perfect
We form the present perfect using ‘have/has + past participle’.
I want to learn more about the PRESENT PERFECT.
Remember: The past participle is verb #3: eat/ate/eaten
Examples:
It’s been a wonderful vacation. = It has been a wonderful vacation.
I really love this book I’m reading. It’s given me a new perspective on life = It has given me
Look at my rose bush! It’s grown so much in just two weeks = It has grown
This portrait has been in my family for over three generations. It’s lost a lot of its color = It has lost
We can also use it’s with the present perfect continuous
We form the present perfect continuous: have/has been + verb ‘ing’
Examples:
It’s been getting colder every day. Winter is coming. = It has been
It’s been raining so much lately . = It has been raining
My computer hasn’t been working very well lately. It’s been shutting itself off for some reason. = It has been shutting itself off
I want to master all 12 tenses!
It’s = it has, but we do not use the contracted form when we area speaking about possession.
Examples:
This vase has three flowers.
☑It has three flowers.
It’s three flowers.
My new car has two doors.
☑It has two doors.
It’s two doors.
Thank you very much for reading!
Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook!
See you next time!
Arnel 🙂
