its
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Probably by analogy with possessives ending in 's. There is no apostrophe, by analogy with his, hers, yours, etc. and to distinguish the pronoun from the contraction it's (“‘it is, it has’”). Note that the corresponding Old English and Middle English genitive form is his.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Homophones
[edit] Pronoun
its
- Its is extremely rare as a pronoun, the pronoun it being very rarely stressed. Moreover, there is very rarely need for Its as a possessive pronoun.
- The mind has its reasons and the heart has its.
[edit] Translations
that which belongs to it
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[edit] Adjective
its
- Belonging to it (used as a possessive adjective).
- This jar has a lid; this is its lid.
[edit] Translations
belonging to it
[edit] Usage notes
- Its is the possessive form of it. Its therefore does not require an apostrophe to indicate possession as it is already a possessive term, similar to his and hers.
- It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."
- "It's going to rain" is equivalent to "it is going to rain."
- Its can function as a possessive pronoun and a possessive adjective. Its form is the same when used in either case. However, Its is extremely rare as a pronoun.
