It’s or its? Which one to use? Most people face the dilemma of figuring out the correct spelling—if not all the time, at least once in a while. Sad to say, even spell check doesn’t seem to know right from wrong, when it really is quite simple.  When someone in the know spots the wrong spelling, it can send up a signal that the writer is confused. But, then again, how many icons of language are there? People who actually know if it’s right or not? Face it, people! This is a common affliction.

Have you ever written something like, “The cat licked its paw,” only to have doubt invade your mind like a space alien? It’s…that would seem to be the possessive, wouldn’t it? Oh, no, did I get it right? You bet you did. The cat did not lick it is paw. No sir!

Think about it in a different way. Same situation, different sentence. You wouldn’t say, “The tree reached out and hit Jacks car.” Of course, Jack might claim that’s the indisputable truth when speaking to the insurance company, but that’s another story. No. The correct form would be “Jack’s” car, meaning the car belonging to Jack.

Not using the apostrophe when you want to say it belongs to, is simply one of those quirks of the language for this word. Don’t despair. Help is on the way. Remember in the word it’s, the apostrophe stands for a missing letter. Somehow it seems that taking out a single letter and substituting an apostrophe is a bit of a waste. Why do it? Who knows? To save a space for the printer? To make it sound more casual? That’s (meaing that is, by the way) anyone’s guess.

So, back to the battle between it’s and its. Here’s the little trick, and it’s free of charge. In the case of its, the rule is broken. Don’t ask why. Just accept it. Always use the form without the apostrophe if you want to indicate it belongs to someone or something. The apostrophe jumps in when it means it is or it has. In the case of this pesky little word, just banish the apostrophe when it means belongs to.

Now go out there and have fun. That nasty wiggly spell check underline might scream that you’ve spelled it wrong, but be confident that you’re right. Use your newfound power to hit that ignore button.

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