One of the reasons that I’ve concentrated on short stories this year has been to serve as a bootcamp for my writing skills. I think they have improved.
I still have to remind myself about this rule.
Taken from: http://englishlanguage.allinfoabout.com/difficulties/its.html
It’s vs Its
These two English words are very often used incorrectly by native speakers. It’s important that you understand the difference.
It’s
It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”
It’s time to go.
Do you think it’s ready?
I read your article – it’s very good.
Do you know where my purse is? It’s on the table.
It’s been a long time.
Its
Its is the possessive form of “it.”
That’s an interesting device – what is its purpose?
I saw Les Misérables during its initial run.
This stove has its own timer.
The bird lost some of its feathers.
Where is its head office?
The Bottom Line
The confusion between it’s and its occurs because on virtually every other word ‘s indicates possession, so English speakers naturally want to use it’s to mean “something belonging to it.” But it’s is only used when it’s a contraction of it is or it has.
The ironclad rule – no exceptions – is that if you can replace the word with “it is” or “it has,” use it’s. Otherwise, it’s always its.
The Universes of Jason Andrew 