Its vs it's
They sound the same, but its shows that something belongs to a thing or animal, as in its tail. It's is short for it is or it has.
If you can swap in it is or it has, write it's. If not, write its.
its determiner
Belonging to a thing, animal, or group already mentioned.
- The town is proud of its old bridge.
- The dog wagged its tail when we came home.
it's contraction
A short form of it is or it has.
- Take an umbrella because it's raining again.
- It's been three years since we last met.
Watch out
- It's can mean it has as well as it is, but only before a form like been or gone, as in it's been. Otherwise write it has: it has a long tail, it has to stop.It's been a long week.
- Centuries ago, its without an apostrophe was also used to mean it is. Today that spelling for it is counts as an error.
Test yourself
The company changed blank logo last year.
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its. The logo belongs to the company. You cannot say it is logo.
I think blank too cold to swim today.
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it's. You mean it is too cold, so use the short form.
The cat hurt blank paw on the fence.
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its. The paw belongs to the cat, so no apostrophe.
Bring a coat because blank been raining all morning.
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it's. This means it has been raining, so use it's.