It’s or Its? | & Why Is It So Confusing?

It’s or Its? | & Why Is It So Confusing? 

#newspaperinlearning #commonerrorsinenglish #sentencecorrection #evenhomernods #languageofadvertisements #redflagsinwriting

7th November 2023

Red Flags in Writing!

This blog post intends to look at a few advertisements that were carried in the major English-language newspapers quite recently, to get a few interesting insights into these two words - It’s & Its!

Let’s now consider this particular advertisement that was carried in The New Indian Express on 3rd November 2023.

Advertisement in The New Indian Express

This advertisement seems to have carried the incorrect spelling for the word its.

The correct spelling in this case would be – Its!

“Geetham Brand and its associated trademarks…”

Quite often, many of us have this little confusion when it comes to using ‘it’s’ or ‘its’.

Well, the apostrophe marks & makes the difference!

Remember: The word it’s is just a contraction of the word, ‘it is’.

The apostrophe is used here to indicate a contraction!

I misplaced my wallet. I guess it’s in my car. [It is]

I don’t think it’s a good idea to buy this mobile phone. [It is]

Now consider this advertisement given by the Government of Kerala, that was carried in a few English-language newspapers recently - 

Advertisement by the Government of Kerala

The state known for its progressive policies…

Its forward-thinking approach…

Its is a possessive word (like my, your, his). Moreover, its (without an apostrophe) signals ownership of whatever noun comes after it. 

Consider these example sentences - 

The bike needed its oil to be changed once every 1,000 kms.

From A. G. Gardiner's 'All About A Dog'

You have kept the rule and broken its spirit.

I love the car’s design, but not its performance.

Reading books while travelling by train, has its own sweet joys.

Giving us all a few more advertisements that were carried in the recent English-language dailies, with the correct use of ‘Its’ and ‘It’s’

 

From the Government of Uttar Pradesh

The New Indian Express, 31st October 2023

Hope it’s clear now! 😊 

And now for the signing off on a coffee-high...