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9 quiz questions: its or it's?

Surely they both mean the same thing don't they?

Does the apostrophe really matter?


Its

Shows ownership of something and is used when referring to animals or things.

"Every dog in the park has its own stick to play with."

"Every ice-cream van has its own sound."


It's

Is the contracted form of 'it is' and can be used in informal writing, for example writing an email to a friend or sending a WhatsApp message.

"It's (it is) a beautiful day today."

"Look at my ice-cream, it's (it is) melting so quickly in this heat."



Some other words that also use contractions:

  • do not - don't

  • cannot - can't

  • could not - couldn't

  • should not - shouldn't

Remember - contractions should only be used in informal writing. If you are writing a report for work or school, or an email to your boss, use formal writing: do not use contractions.


Test your knowledge of its and it's.

Which of these sentences are correct:


  1. New York is famous for it's skyscrapers.

Incorrect. New York is famous for its skyscrapers. We use its to show possession of the skyscrapers.


2. I like London. It's a fun city.

Correct. I like London. It's (it is) a fun city.


3.Venice is known for its canals.

Correct. 'its' shows possession of the canals by Venice.


4. The cat has it's own bed to sleep in.

Incorrect. The cat has its own bed to sleep in. Its is used to show the cat's ownership (possession) of the bed.


5. The yoga studio has it's own YouTube channel.

Incorrect. The yoga studio has its own YouTube channel. Its is used to show ownership (possession) of the YouTube channel by the yoga studio.


6. The hospital has its own electricity supply in case of a power cut.

Correct. 'Its' is used to show ownership of the electricity supply by the hospital.


7. Do you like my painting? I think its my best one yet!

Incorrect. Do you like my painting? I think it's (it is) my best one yet!


8. Italy is known for it's pizza and pasta.

Incorrect. Italy is known for its pizza and pasta. Its is used to show Italy's ownership of its famous foods: pizza and pasta.


9. Have you seen my diary? It's blue with pink hearts on it.

Correct. Have you seen my diary? It's (it is) blue with pink hearts on it.



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