π Understanding 'Its' vs. 'It's' in Grade 7 ELA
The difference between 'its' and 'it's' can be tricky, but it's essential for clear and correct writing. Let's break it down!
π§ Definitions
- π 'Its' shows possession. It indicates that something belongs to 'it.' There's no apostrophe needed for possessive pronouns like 'its', 'his', 'hers', 'ours', and 'theirs'.
- βοΈ 'It's' is a contraction. It combines 'it' and 'is' or 'it' and 'has'. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter(s).
π 'Its' vs. 'It's': A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
'Its' |
'It's' |
| Function |
Possessive pronoun |
Contraction of 'it is' or 'it has' |
| Apostrophe |
No apostrophe |
Contains an apostrophe |
| Example Usage |
The dog wagged its tail. |
It's raining outside. It's been a long day. |
π‘ Key Takeaways
- π If you can replace 'its' with 'it is' or 'it has', use 'it's'. For example, you can say 'It is raining' instead of 'It's raining'.
- π If you're showing ownership, use 'its'. Think of other possessive pronouns like 'his' and 'hers', which also don't use apostrophes.
- β
Always double-check your writing! Read your sentence aloud or substitute 'it is' to make sure you've chosen the right word.