Differentiate between “its” and “it’s.”
The words “its” and “it’s” are commonly confused because they are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings
The words “its” and “it’s” are commonly confused because they are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings.
1. “Its”: This word is the possessive form of the pronoun “it.” It is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a thing or an animal, but not a person. For example:
– The cat licked its paws.
– The tree lost its leaves in winter.
– The company is known for its excellent customer service.
Note that “its” does not have an apostrophe.
2. “It’s”: This is a contraction of two words, “it” and “is” or “it” and “has.” It is used to indicate a shortened form of these phrases. For example:
– It’s raining outside. (It is raining outside)
– It’s been a long day. (It has been a long day)
– It’s easy to make mistakes when you rush. (It is easy to make mistakes)
“It’s” can also be used as a contraction for “it” and “was.”
Remember that “it’s” always has an apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters.
To determine which one to use, consider the context and whether you are trying to show possession (“its”) or use a contraction for “it is,” “it has,” or “it was” (“it’s”).
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