
It’s
is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”Its
is a possessive determiner we use to say that something belongs to or refers to something.
It’s and its are among the most commonly confused words. They are pronounced the same, there’s a very small difference in how they’re written, and it’s also easy to mistake the contraction in it’s for a possessive. But the rules are very clear — it’s is the same type of contraction as “where’s” or “there’s,” and its is a possessive just like “my” or “your.”
Examples
He doesn’t thinkitsa good idea to spend all his money on video games.
He doesn’t thinkit’s
(it is) a good idea to spend all his money on video games.
Itsbeen a year since the last time they met.It’s
(It has) been a year since the last time they met.
The computer looked as thoughit’spower supply had failed.
The computer looked as thoughits
power supply had failed.
A car is no good withoutit’swheels.
A car is no good withoutits
wheels.