Myriora English › Grammar and punctuation › Chapter 4: Punctuation

Its or it's?

Ages 7–9Chapter 4 · Lesson 6

In this lesson

With an apostrophe, it's means it is, or it has.
With no apostrophe, its means belonging to it.
Try saying it is: if it makes sense, use the apostrophe.

Your turn

Which one fits? The tree lost all of blank leaves.

Show the answer

No apostrophe! The tree lost all of it is leaves doesn't make sense, so we leave the apostrophe out.

The common mistake

Here's a common mistake. Lots of people add an apostrophe when its means belonging, because apostrophes can show belonging. But this word is special. When it means belonging to it, it never has an apostrophe. The bird built its nest.

Try it at home

It is test: write five sentences with its or it's missing, and swap. Read each one with it is in the gap: if it makes sense, it gets an apostrophe.

Read the whole lesson

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! These two words sound exactly the same. But one has an apostrophe, and they mean different things.

With an apostrophe, it's is short for it is, or it has. It's raining. It's been a long day. With no apostrophe, its means belonging to it. The dog wagged its tail.

Here's a trick. Try saying it is instead. If it makes sense, use the apostrophe. If it doesn't, leave it out. The cat licked it is paw doesn't make sense, so there's no apostrophe.

Let's try one together. Which one fits? Blank going to snow tonight. Say it out loud!

The one with an apostrophe! It is going to snow tonight makes sense. Well done if you got it!

Your turn! Which one fits? The tree lost all of blank leaves. Pick the right card. You've got eight seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! No apostrophe! The tree lost all of it is leaves doesn't make sense, so we leave the apostrophe out.

Quick review. With an apostrophe, it's means it is, or it has. With no apostrophe, its means belonging to it. Try saying it is: if it makes sense, use the apostrophe. See you next time!