Today we'll be talking about probably the second most confused words in the English language, Its and It's.

Its

The word its is used to show possession of a singular, neuter-gendered noun, as in the following sentences:

1. Its claws were huge.
2. The dog growled, so its teeth showed.
3. The pet's hair was too long; it's owner needed to take it for a haircut.

However, if the gender for the specified noun is stated as being feminine (female; girl) or masculine (male; boy), then you would use her or his, depending on which gender the noun is.

She won the contest, so its mom was proud. = INCORRECT
She won the contest, so her mom was proud. = CORRECT
In this sentence, the word she indicates that the noun is feminine, so you would use her instead of its to show possession.

Because he slipped and fell, its glass of water spilled. = INCORRECT
Because he slipped and fell, his glass of water spilled. = CORRECT
In this sentence, the word he indicated that the noun is masculine, so you would use his instead of its to show possession.

To sum it up:

• Feminine possession: her
• Masculine possession: his
• Neuter possession: its

It's

The word it's is a contraction of it and is. If you remember what a contraction is from the previous two chapters, you should know that it is a word that replaces two others. Therefore. it's replaces it is in a sentence.

I think it is very cold outside. > I think it's very cold outside.
It is hard to complete this level. > It's hard to complete this level.

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