The difference between “it’s” and “its”
It’s vs Its
At first glance, ‘it’s’ and ‘its’ look simple to apply, so how complicated can it be to produce a grammatically correct sentence with either of those two words?
The truth is that English grammar has exceptions and irregularities which means that not all of us may remember all the rules all the time. This is one rule that trips up quite a few and so here is an explanation on how to get it right.
The basic difference between it’s and its is the difference between contraction (the shortening of two words by removing one or more letters and inserting an apostrophe) and possession (ownership).
Contraction
- It’s hardly a surprise that the cat is attracted to mice.
It is hardly a surprise.
- The cake tastes delicious because it’s stuffed with my favourite ingredients.
…it is stuffed with my favourite ingredients.
- It’s still not perfect.
It is still not perfect.
- The book is interesting, although it’s a bit hard to follow at times.
…it is a bit hard to follow at times.
- Sex is more enjoyable if it’s undertaken with love.
…if it is undertaken with love
Possession
- The cat licked its
Whose paws? The cat’s paws, as in the paws belonging to the cat.
- The robot waved to its friends.
Whose friends? The robot’s friends, as in the friends belonging to the robot.
- The government waived its
Whose principles? The government’s principles (which it waived).
- The octopus loves its underwater chateau.
Whose chateau? The octopus’s chateau.
- The company has announced its latest profits.
Whose profits? The company’s profits.
Quick Tip
- If you can replace the word with “it is” or “it has,” then use “it’s”.
- If you’re showing possession, use “its”.
Quick recap
Its
The dog chased its tail.
It’s
Dog. It’s time to stop chasing your tail.
Wave and Waive
Wave and waive are homophones. Both words sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Wave
Wave has two meanings. It can be a verb and refers to a physical gesture – that of moving one’s hand back and forth to show recognition, acknowledgement, or excitement.
It can be a noun and can refer to an ocean wave or a sound wave.
She waved to her friend from across the street and shouted that “the ocean waves are high today.”
Waive
Means to voluntarily give up or relinquish a right, claim, or privilege.
In the ‘Possession’ example above, ‘The government waived its principles’ means that the government abandoned its principles.
Quick recap
Wave refers to a physical motion such as the undulating sea. It can also mean making a signal with your hand.
Waive refers to the intentional relinquishment of a right, claim, privilege or belief.
Just imagine
If the waiter waives his tip, he has waved goodbye to getting extra money.
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