The apostrophe – easy rules

Use of the apostrophe with Its or It’s

This is a typical everyday English mistake, made by many.

Use an apostrophe when you mean it is or it has

Do not use an apostrophe when you use its in a possessive form

• Example of no apostrophe:

The dog is licking its tail (the tail belongs to the dog) Possessive

The plant is in its pot

• Example of using the apostrophe:

It’s (it is) a really sunny hot day

It’s (it is) my coat

It’s (it has) been a real nasty winter in the last 2 year.