Years ago, I had a favorite ice cream treat. It was called an IT’S-IT. It was originally created in my hometown in the 1920s, and I’m pretty sure this dark chocolate-dipped oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich is a legend here on the West Coast.
What’s especially important to this editor is that the creator of the IT’S-IT didn’t make the common mistake of misusing it’s and its.
And that’s a good thing, or else we’d have ITS-IT, which wouldn’t make sense.
Because its is the possessive form of it, we’d have to ask what an “it” is and who “it” belongs to.
We’d be confused. We’d wonder why the creator didn’t proofread. We might even question the quality of the product. We’d focus on the mistake, rather than on the delicious ice cream.
Instead, we see “It is it,” and we ask “What is it?” And the answer is clear: This ice cream sandwich is “it” because it’s the best.
I often see it’s and its written incorrectly. Even native English speakers make this mistake.
It’s is a contraction of it is.
Here’s an example: It’s ice cream.
Its, with no apostrophe, is the possessive form of it.
Here’s an example: She removed the ice cream sandwich from its package.
The confusion comes from the fact that ‘s often indicates possession. But in this case, it doesn’t.
Using the apostrophe correctly in the word it’s is one of the many rules of English that you must follow if you want your writing to be coherent.
The rule is as follows: If you can use it is or it has, use it’s; if you can’t, use its.
Even though you’re a conscientious writer, mistakes happen. That’s why it’s important to proofread. Better yet, have an editor proofread.
You don’t want your readers to focus on your misuse of a word. You want them to focus on your clear, cohesive message.
