1231. Confusing Contractions: it’s – its

The word It’s is a contraction made from it is.
Anytime you use the word it’s with an apostrophe, you have to be sure that the sentence would read well if you replaced it’s with it is.
It’s raining today.
It is raining today.

If the sentence does not read well with the words it is, then you cannot use the contraction it’s in that sentence.
The dog chased its ball.
The word its is not a contraction. There is no apostrophe. You cannot substitute it is in this sentence.

Always use it’s with the apostrophe when you can substitute the words it is for it’s. It’s is a contraction.

It’s your turn. In which sentence is the word it’s used correctly? The wagon lost it’s wheel. Mom said it’s in the garage. Did you pick the second sentence as the correct one? Good for you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *