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The word it's is actually a contraction, a shortened form of the personal pronoun it and the verb is.

The contractions it's functions as the subject and verb (or auxiliary verb) of a sentence or a clause.

The sound alike word its is a possessive pronoun; that is, it expresses the condition of belonging - specifically, belonging to something with a neuter or unknown gender.

Possessive pronouns like his, hers, yours, theirs, etc. are exceptions to the English rule that possession is shown by using an apostrophe. For example, The car's color is blue(with an apostrophe) ... but Its color is blue (without an apostrophe)

If you're not sure which word to use, just remember that it's is the contraction for it is. If the sentence also makes sense when you write it using it is, then it's is correct. If the sentence doesn't make any sense with it is, then use its:

  • Which is right? Its time to go, or It'stime to go?

    "It is time to go" is also correct, so use It's

  • Which is right? The dog ate its food, or The dog ate it's food?

    "The dog ate it is food" is not valid English, so use its (the food belongs to the dog).

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9y ago

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