Its: The Word That's Driving Us Crazy

You know the feeling. You're writing a sentence, and you reach the point where you need to use the possessive form of "it." And then you pause, because you're not sure whether the correct form is "its" or "it's."
If you're like me, you might have a vague recollection of a grammar rule from grade school, but you can't quite remember what it is. And even if you can remember the rule, you might not be sure how to apply it to the sentence you're writing.
Never fear, my word-loving friend. I'm here to help you with this itsy-bitsy grammar dilemma.
The Rule
The rule is actually quite simple:
* Its = possessive form of "it"
* It's = contraction of "it is" or "it has"
Let's break that down a little further.
Its
When you want to show that something belongs to "it," you use the possessive form "its." Here are some examples:
* The dog wagged its tail.
* The car lost its keys.
* The tree dropped its leaves.
It's
When you want to say that "it is" or "it has," you use the contraction "it's." Here are some examples:
* It's a beautiful day.
* It's been a long time.
* It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
Still Confused?
If you're still not sure which form to use, here's a handy trick:
* Try replacing "it" with "he" or "she." If "his" or "her" makes sense, then use "its." If "he is" or "she is" makes sense, then use "it's."
For example:
* The dog wagged its tail. (The dog wagged his tail.)
* It's a beautiful day. (It is a beautiful day.)
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes people make is using "it's" when they mean "its." This can be confusing, because the apostrophe in "it's" can make it look like a possessive form. But remember, "it's" is always a contraction.
Another common mistake is using "its" to refer to a person. This is incorrect. "Its" should only be used to refer to non-human things.
Examples in the Wild
To help you get a better feel for how to use "its" and "it's," here are a few examples from the wild world of writing:
* Its fur was soft and white.
* The cat curled up and licked its paw.
* It's a beautiful day for a walk.
* It's been a long time since I've seen you.
* The car lost its keys.
A Call to Action
Now that you're armed with this newfound knowledge, go forth and use "its" and "it's" with confidence. And if you ever find yourself in doubt, just remember this trusty article.
May your sentences always be grammatically correct!