Apostrophes: Its or It’s?

ITS or IT’S?

Many international students (and British people too!) make the mistake between ITS (no apostrophe) and IT’S (with an apostrophe). So…

1. “It’s hot today.” = IT IS HOT TODAY = APOSTROPHE FOR LEAVING OUT A LETTER
2. “I have a new car. Its top speed is 120 mph.” = POSSESSIVE = THE TOP SPEED OF IT. = NO APOSTROPHE FOR POSSESSION

So if you are not sure if it should be ITS or IT’S ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you mean IT IS? If so then you should write IT’S

2. Do you mean ‘of’ something? (Stay away from the dog! Its teeth look dangerous!) Then write ITS

Easy!