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Paty
How can I use its?
Could you give examples of the uses of its? When can I use?
Thanks so much.
Jul 14, 2014 7:45 AM
Answers · 6
3
Hi Paty!
The rules for both "its" and "it's" are actually quite easy to remember.
Rule 1: When you mean "it is", use an apostrophe.
Examples:
It’s a nice day.
It’s your right to refuse the invitation.
It’s been great getting to know you.
Rule 2: When you are using its as a possessive (meaning something belongs to something else), don’t use the apostrophe.
Examples:
The cat hurt its paw.
The furniture store celebrated its tenth anniversary.
July 14, 2014
2
Many people, even native speakers, confuse these two words:
1. it's
2. its
1. The first one is the abbreviated form of 'it is' or - less commonly - 'it has'. The apostrophe (') tells you that there's a letter or two missing.
For example:
It's Monday today. (It is Monday)
It's difficult to learn Japanese (It is difficult)
It's rained a lot this summer ( It has rained)
2. The second one (its) - with no apostrophe - is a possessive pronoun (like my or your) .
The dog is asleep in its basket. (the basket belongs to the dog)
Many native speakers - even some of those who use this site, I'm afraid to say - get this point wrong. If anybody tells you that it should be " it's basket", they are wrong. Check it out in any grammar book.
July 14, 2014
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Paty
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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