It's or Its?

Question: Many people have asked me about the difference between the words “its” and “it’s.” That tricky, little apostrophe causes tons of problems, but it’s easy to remember the difference between these two words.

Answer: The apostrophe in “it’s” usually stands for “it is.” Anytime you write “it’s,” take a second to replace “it’s” with the words “it is” or “it has” to see if what you wrote makes sense. If it doesn’t make sense, take out the apostrophe.

Here’s an example:

The Chamber is holding “it’s” meeting on September 3, 2008. Now read the “it’s” as “it is”: The Chamber is holding it is meeting on September 3, 2008.

Does that make sense? Then REMOVE THE APOSTROPHE!!!!

The correct way to write the sentence is, “The Chamber is holding its meeting on September 3, 2008.” (No apostrophe is needed!)

Its (without the apostrophe) is used to show possession/ownership. It’s (with the apostrophe) is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.”

Examples : The horse flicked its tail. It’s (it is) hurricane season. It’s (it has) been fun knowing you.