A woman is like a TEA BAG - you never know how strong she is until she gets into HOT WATER. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Saturday, July 9

It's or Its - Does Its need an apostrophe?

Like me, it seems that many people aren't quite sure when to use "its" or "it's".  Quite frankly, when one is zipping along on the keyboard, blogging or typing a letter, it's very easy to become confused!

It's with an apostrophe:
The only time "it's" (with an apostrophe) is needed is when the words "it" and "is" (or "has") are being contracted. ("It's" = "It is" or "It has.")

Its without an apostrophe:
The word "its" signifies possession, and needs no apostrophe. (Nor do these words need one: yours, his, hers, theirs, and ours.) Perhaps the confusion stems from the fact that the apostrophe is used to show possession by a noun, as in "the flower's petals."

There ya go!  If you ever become confused again, simply type "does it's need an apostrophe" in your google toolbar! 

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