Writing · Free lesson
Its or it’s? Check the apostrophe before you send
You are writing a short description of a robot. Its and it’s sound alike, but one letter-sized mark changes the job the word does.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Its shows possession or connection: “The robot raised its arm.” It’s can mean it is: “It’s ready.” Before using the apostrophe, expand the word. “It is arm” does not fit the first sentence.
Expand the contraction; do not guess from the sound.
Use its before a noun phrase connected to the thing already mentioned: its arm, its new battery. Use it’s when it is fits your sentence. Possessive its does not follow the apostrophe rule used with a noun such as the robot’s arm.
Two different jobs
The robot lifted its arm.
It’s ready for the demonstration.
It’s moving its arm slowly.
Its has no apostrophe anywhere. Its’ is not the possessive spelling.
Check a description
Try it is
It is moving its arm slowly.
Check the possession
The arm belongs to the robot.
Try it now
Choose the intended spelling
Read all answers and explanations
The battery belongs to the robot. Complete: “The robot needs ___ battery.”
itsIts shows whose battery it is. It is battery does not fit, and its’ is not a standard possessive.
Shorten “It is ready” correctly.
It’s ready.The apostrophe in it’s marks the omitted letter in it is.
Choose the sentence meaning “It is charging the battery that belongs to it.”
It’s charging its battery.The first word expands to it is. The second shows possession before battery, so it has no apostrophe.
Put it into practice
Proofread the robot description
The robot is ready, and its battery is full. Fix both spellings while keeping that meaning.
Its ready. It’s battery is full.
See a model answer
It’s ready. Its battery is full.
The two words sound alike, so meaning decides the punctuation.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can it’s mean it has?
Yes, in a perfect construction before a past participle. Check the full phrase rather than assuming every it’s means it is.
It’s stopped moving.
Why does the robot’s have an apostrophe but its does not?
The robot’s is a possessive noun form. Its is a possessive determiner, like my or your, with a different spelling pattern.
The robot’s arm is long. Its arm is long.
Take it into your day
Its marks possession; it’s expands to it is or it has.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Make grammar part of your editing routine.
The English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course includes the Its vs. It’s distinction. Strengthen grammar foundations you can use when checking your own sentences; this is the available main course, not a separate writing course.
Explore the course English Master Course: English Grammar and English Speaking