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It’s or its?

It’s is the contracted form of it is or it has:

  • Can you hear that noise? Where do you think it’s (it is) coming from?
  • It’s (it is) nearly the end of the month. It’s (it has) gone really quickly.

Its is a possessive determiner (like my, your, his) which we use when referring to things or animals:

  • Every house in the street has got its own garage.
  • [talking about a famous American journalist]
  • He joined the New York Tribune (1868), becoming its editor-in-chief and eventually its principal owner (1872–1905).

We don’t use its as a possessive pronoun.

Compare

A: Whose is this ball?B: Mine.Possessive pronoun mine used alone.
A: Whose is this ball?B: The dog’s.Not: Its.Possessive determiner its is not used alone. We repeat the noun which is being referred to.
See also
  • Pronouns: possessive (my, mine, your, yours, etc.)