THE WRITING CENTER
Write with confidence
IT'S AND ITS
With an apostrophe
it’s
means
it is or
it has.
Without the apostrophe,
its
means
belonging to it.
Incorrect: I don’t believe its finally my birthday.
Correct:
I don’t believe it’s (it is) finally my birthday.
Incorrect: The dog ate it's food.
Correct: The dog ate its food.
Don't get confused
These words sound alike, but they each are used to convey a different meaning.
Look carefully
at the IT'S and ITS column.
Notice the difference the apostrophe makes.
Then look carefully
at the THEY'RE, THEIR, THERE COLUMN. Notice the difference the apostrophe and the spelling make.
THEY'RE,
THEIR,
THERE
THEY'RE = they are
They're (they are) the books you will need.
THEIR = something owned by a group --a possessive
Their books are in the box.
THERE = a place--
think where
The books are on that table there.