Short answer
To distinguish “its” from “it’s,” try replacing the word with “it is” or “it has.” If the sentence still makes sense, “it’s” is correct; otherwise, use “its” for possession. This reflects current US English usage. 1 2 3
Both terms relate to the pronoun “it,” but “its” is possessive while “it’s” is a contraction; they sound identical but serve distinct grammatical roles.
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At a glance
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| Question | its | it’s |
|---|---|---|
| Shows possession? | Yes | No |
| Can be expanded to ‘it is’ or ‘it has’? | No | Yes |
The table summarizes the stated definitions and scope. 1 2 3
What each thing is
Its. In contemporary US written English, “its” is a possessive determiner showing that something belongs to or is associated with a non-gendered noun or pronoun, similar to “his” or “her.” 1 2
It’s. “It’s” is a contraction representing either “it is” or “it has”; the apostrophe marks the omission of letters in these phrases. 1 3
Key differences
The main distinguishing axis is grammatical function: “its” is a possessive determiner, while “it’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” This difference is reflected in spelling and usage. 1 2 3
How to tell them apart
A practical test is to substitute “it is” or “it has” in place of the word. If the sentence remains correct, “it’s” is appropriate. If not, and possession is indicated, “its” should be used. This test may not work for every ambiguous context. 1 2
Where they overlap
There is no overlap in meaning, but the two forms are pronounced the same and often confused in writing due to their similar appearance and sound. 1 2 3
Edge cases
Historically, “it’s” was once used as a possessive in the 17th century, but this is no longer standard. Some accidental uses of “it’s” as a possessive still appear in informal writing. 1 2 3
Why the distinction exists
The difference arises from their grammatical roles: “its” functions as a possessive determiner, while “it’s” is a contraction. The apostrophe in “it’s” signals omitted letters, not possession, unlike with most nouns. 1 2 3
Common misconceptions
A common misconception is that all possessives use an apostrophe. In fact, “its” is an exception among possessive forms, lacking an apostrophe despite showing ownership. 1 2
Examples
Consider: “The committee released its report.” versus “It’s time to review the report.” The first shows possession (the report belongs to the committee), while the second contracts “it is.” 1 2 3
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- Merriam-Webster — It’s vs. Its: Correct Usage. Usage guide: definitions, examples and exceptions.
- Merriam-Webster — Its Definition & Meaning. Dictionary entry: definitions, usage examples and word history.
- Merriam-Webster — It’S Definition & Meaning. Dictionary entry: definitions, usage examples and word history.