IELTS Writing: Its vs. It’s

When you're getting ready for the IELTS exam, even small grammar details can boost your writing and speaking scores. A super common mistake? Mixing up "its" and "it’s"! 

They may look alike, but they mean totally different things. Since they sound the same, they’re called homophones—words that trip up even native English speakers! But don’t worry, we’ll break it down in the easiest way possible.

Difference Between "Its" and "It’s"

When to Use "Its"

"Its" is a determiner, meaning it modifies a noun to indicate possession. It functions similarly to "his," "hers," or "theirs."

• Correct: The company changed its policy.
• Incorrect: The company changed it’s policy. ❌ (This would mean "it is policy," which makes no sense.)

 When to Use "It’s"

"It’s" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." If you can replace "it’s" with "it is" or "it has," then you’re using it correctly.

• Correct: It’s been a long day. (It has been a long day.)
• Incorrect: The dog wagged it’s tail. ❌ (You can’t say "It is tail.")

Tip to Avoid Mistakes

If you’re unsure whether to use "its" or "it’s," try expanding it to "it is" or "it has." If the sentence still makes sense, use "it’s." If it doesn’t, use "its."

• Test Sentence: The book lost it’s/its cover.
  • Does "The book lost it is cover" make sense? ❌ No!
  • The correct answer is its. ✅

Common IELTS Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Many IELTS test-takers mistakenly use "it’s" when they mean "its." This can make your writing look less polished and lower your grammar score.

Wrong: The university is known for it’s excellent programs. ❌ Right: The university is known for its excellent programs. ✅

Its vs. It’s in a Sentence

Its (Possessive)

• I loved the cut of the dress but had issues with its colour.
• The laptop is too big for its case.
• The company issued a statement about its new policy.

It’s (Contraction of "It is" or "It has")

• It’s so cold today.
• Choose what you want, but it’s all the same in my opinion.
• It’s been almost a week of waiting.
• It’s nice to know that my work is recognized.

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with its or it’s:

1. The dog wagged ___ tail happily.
2. I think ___ going to rain today.
3. The company is proud of ___ achievements.
4. ___ been a great experience so far!

Answers:

1. its
2. it’s
3. its
4. it’s