IT’S

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has.

 

Examples:

It’s = It is

• “It’s my bedtime.”

• “It’s time to go.”

• “It’s only 11 o'clock.”

• “It’s over there.”

It’s = It has (not possessive)

• “It’s been a long time.”

• “It’s been brewing awhile.”

• “It’s got to happen soon.”

A Mnemonic Device:

It’s an apostrophe.

 

 

ITS

Its indicates possessive.

Or, put a more technical way, its is the possessive form of the neuter pronoun “it” — his, her, its.

Examples:

Its possessive

• “Every dog has its day.”

• “The jury has reached its decision.”

• “Stop its momentum!”

• “Guess its color.”

A Good Rule of Thumb:

If you can replace it with his or her, there's no apostrophe.

A Mnemonic Device:

The possessive dog had its tail removed.

 

ITS’

Its’ is never correct. Ever.