Understanding the possessive forms of it and they in everyday English.

Understanding its and their: a tiny grammar puzzle that matters

You’ve probably seen this little moment in writing: a word that looks close but means something totally different. It’s one of those tiny grammar quirks that can trip you up in seconds—especially when you’re scanning a sentence for meaning rather than grammar rules. Let me explain why the possessive forms for it and they matter, and how to keep them straight without getting tangled in contractions.

What counts as possession here?

In English, possession isn’t just about who owns what. It also hides in the shape of words we use every day. When we say something belongs to something else, we’re using a possessive. For “it” and for “they,” the possessive forms are simple once you remember a couple of patterns:

• it → its (without an apostrophe)

• they → their (also without an apostrophe)

A quick, practical difference: contractions vs possessives

Now, there’s a common source of confusion that shows up in tests and in casual writing alike. The words it’s and they’re are contractions. That means they stand for two words:

• it’s = it is (or it has in rare cases)

• they’re = they are

Its and their, on the other hand, show ownership. They don’t stand in for two words. They own something in the sentence:

• The cat licked its paws.

• The students finished their homework.

If you replace it’s with it is, or if you replace they’re with they are, you’ll see how different the meaning becomes. That’s the heart of the confusion—and the skill you want to have in your back pocket when you read or write fast.

A little multiple-choice moment (and what it reveals)

Here’s a commonly shared grammar item that helps highlight the distinction. Imagine a question that asks: “What are the possessive forms for ‘it’ and ‘they’?”

• A. Located, Their’s

• B. It's, They're

• C. It is, They are

• D. Its, Their

If you glance quickly, you might think B or C looks tempting. After all, they’re contractions—familiar and easy to spot. But the trick is this: the possessive forms for it and for they aren’t contractions. They’re its and their. So the truly correct pairing is D: Its, Their.

Why people get this wrong

• It’s easy to mistake contractions for possessives because they both use apostrophes when you’re not paying close attention.

• The apostrophe in its or its absence in its (without apostrophe) is another gotcha. It’s a subtle distinction, but it changes who owns what in the sentence.

• “There” vs. “their” vs. “they’re” is another frequent stumble. They sound alike in conversation, but they don’t belong in the same slot in writing.

Let me spell out the differences in a couple of quick examples:

• It’s raining outside. (Here it’s a contraction for it is.)

• The dog wagged its tail. (Here its is possessive—belonging to it.)

• They’re going to the park. (They are, contraction.)

• Their car is new. (Belongs to them.)

A few more distinctions you’ll find handy

• If you can replace the word with “it is” or “they are” and the sentence still sounds right, you’re probably dealing with a contraction. If not, you’re likely looking at a possessive form.

• Possessive pronouns don’t take apostrophes: its, their. Plural possessive pronouns don’t end with an apostrophe unless you’re signaling a different use (which is rare in everyday writing).

• The apostrophe is the friend of contractions, not the owner of the possessive form in these cases.

Why this matters beyond a single question

Good grammar isn’t just about passing a test or checking a box. It’s about clear communication. When you mix up its and it’s, your sentence can shift from precise to ambiguous in an instant. In work, school, or even casual emails, that kind of slip can distract your reader and muddy your message.

Think of it like a street sign. If a sign says “Its time to go,” a reader might pause and wonder what is “its time”? If the sign says “It’s time to go,” you immediately understand: we’re talking about time and action. The same logic applies to “their” and “they’re.” If you write “they’re car” you’re inviting a misread, since “they’re” wants to join two words, not own a car.

Practical tips you can actually use

• Do a quick test in your head: can you replace the word with “it is” or “they are”? If yes, you probably need a contraction (its/they’re) instead of a possessive (its/their).

• Don’t assume an apostrophe means possession. Check the meaning. If the sentence is about ownership, expect it to be the possessive form without an apostrophe (its, their).

• When in doubt, rewrite the sentence in a simpler form. If you can say “the dog licked it is paw” you know you’ve got a contraction mix-up and you should switch to “its paw.”

• Remember these quick pairs: its/it's and their/there/they’re. If you swap in “it is” or “they are,” you’ll spot the correct choice more easily.

A few friendly digressions you might enjoy

• Handwriting researchers sometimes note that apostrophes in casual writing carry a lot of weight. When you handwrite, you might notice you’re more deliberate with contractions, which can actually help you spot mistakes later when you type.

• In brand names and logos, you’ll sometimes see odd possessives that feel like exceptions. Don’t sweat them; the rule still holds. In most standard writing, the same pattern applies.

• If you write a lot of emails, you’ll notice that people often slip into contractions in informal messages. It’s perfectly fine and readable, as long as you’re mindful of tone and audience.

A concise guide you can bookmark

• Its = possessive of it (belongs to it)

• It’s = it is (contraction)

• Their = possessive of they (belongs to them)

• They’re = they are (contraction)

• There = a place

• A handy rule of thumb: if you can substitute “it is” or “they are,” use a contraction (it’s or they’re). If you can substitute ownership, use the possessive (its or their).

Bringing it back to everyday writing

Think of English as a toolkit. Possessives and contractions are two different tools that often share the same handle—the apostrophe—but they’re used for different jobs. When you’re writing a note, a blog snippet, or a quick educational example like the one above, that little distinction matters. It helps your reader know immediately who owns what and what’s being described.

If you’re ever unsure, a simple check can save you drama: try swapping in “it is” or “they are.” If the sentence feels awkward after that swap, you’re probably looking at a possessive form. If it flows naturally, you’re probably dealing with a contraction—and you’ll want its or their rather than it’s or they’re.

Final thought: the beauty of clarity

Language can feel like a maze, especially when tiny marks change the meaning of a sentence. But once the pattern clicks—its and their for possession; it’s and they’re for contractions—you’ll move through writing tasks with a lighter step. The next time you encounter a sentence that reads a little off, pause, check the forms, and you’ll likely strike the right balance in no time.

If you’d like, I can weave this kind of clarifying explanation into more examples—covering other tricky pairs like who’s/whose, or their/they’re/there—so every piece of your writing stays crisp and easy to follow.