Grammar 101: Difference Between Its and It’s
September 8th, 2008 by Michael KwanWhile I do not see myself as a stickler for grammar, there are some common errors that can get on my nerves sometimes. As such, I’ve decided to start a new series of posts here on Beyond the Rhetoric that will focus on these common English writing errors. You do not have to be an exceptional writer to be successful as a freelance writer, but you should have basic spelling and grammar skills.
A common mistake that a lot of people make is confusing the use of its with the use of it’s. These do not mean the same thing and cannot be used in place of one another.
Its Signifies Possession
You use “its” when you want to signify possession or ownership, using it much the same way as you would “his” or “her”. Just as you would say that a vehicle is his car, you would say that the round thing on the hood is its emblem. I can write about the Apple iPhone and its features, not it’s features.
It’s is Short for It Is
A lot of people have the tendency to use it’s to signify ownership or possession, because one of the ways, in general, to signify possession is with the use of an apostrophe. Here is Michael’s blog. There is John’s computer. This use of the apostrophe does not apply when the subject is it.
Instead, “it’s” is simply the contraction of “it is”. You would say that it’s a nice day today and not its a nice day today. The distinction between its and it’s is actually really straightforward, as the two words have very different meanings.
Improve Your Blog Quality with Better Grammar
Blogging is a place where you do not need perfect spelling, grammar, and punctuation, but it certainly helps when you are using proper grammar and punctuation. If you improve your writing ability in this way, you may be able to gain greater respect from your readers.
Be sure to check out “Top 10 Grammar Mistakes Writers Make” for a few other common errors. I’ll be back with another edition of Grammar 101 in the future too.
Filed under Freelance Writing.
That’s annoying. Even worse, though, is your and you’re. Can I borrow you’re computer? Your going to love this! Argh!!!
There They’re and Their!
Another annoying combination I came across was “theirs” and “there’s”.
I think you meant to say “his” or “hers” in your explanation of “its”.
No, “his” and “her” are correct. It is his car. That is her purse. Here is its emblem. It wouldn’t make sense to say that is hers purse.
The only instances (I can think of right now) where you would use hers (or theirs) is when you’re omitting the noun.
This is her purse. The purse is hers.
This is their house. The house is theirs.
His stays the same either way.
This is his car. The car is his.
Same with its.
These are its features. The features are its.
Granted, “The features are its” is an awkward sentence, but there you go.
What about people that use their’s!
Yes, I’m thinking along the line that the noun is being omitted after the possessive case – “hers”.
This is their house. The house is theirs. Or “Theirs is the largest house on the block.”
[...] on the initial response that I received from my first Grammar 101 post, The Difference Between Its and It’s, there’s a good chance that this will become a regular thing here on Beyond the Rhetoric. [...]
[...] weeks ago, I talked about the difference between its and it’s, two words that sound exactly the same way but carry quite different meanings. Today’s [...]
I understand it’s being short for it is… that’s basic. But the ownership issue is a little more vague.
“Its mine” is incorrect, it should be “it’s mine” or it’s my car.
“The company and its employees are at fault” is correct but so is “it’s the companies employees fault”
Explain
That should read “it’s the company’s employees fault”
It should be “it’s mine,” because that is short for “it is mine.”
When I say that “its” indicates possession, I mean to say that “its” is effectively the gender neutral version of his or her. If you can insert “his” where you want to put “its,” then you know you’ve got it right.
As an aside, your last sentence is ambiguous. Do you mean to say one company or many companies? One employee or many employees? In any case, it’s punctuated incorrectly. Depending on the meaning you’re trying to convey it could be:
- It’s the company’s employee’s fault.
- It’s the company’s employees’ fault.
- It’s the companies’ employee’s fault. (which is strange considering there is one employee for multiple companies, but that’s another issue.)
- It’s the companies’ employees’ fault.
Another way to think about it is if it doesn’t make sense to write “it is” in the space, then don’t use “it’s” in that space.