THE WRITING CENTER
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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.
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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.
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Then look carefully
at the THEY'RE, THEIR, THERE COLUMN. Notice the difference the apostrophe and the spelling make.
THEY'RE,
THEIR,
THERE
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THEY'RE = they are
They're (they are) the books you will need.
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THEIR = something owned by a group --a possessive
Their books are in the box.
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THERE = a place--
think where
The books are on that table there.
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