its and it’s

These two words are often confused by native speakers of English as well as by foreign learners.

Its is a possessive word (like my, your).

• Every country has its traditions. (not … it’s traditions.)

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

• It’s raining again. (not Its raining again.)
• Have you seen my camera? It’s disappeared. (not … Its disappeared.)

note

There is a similar difference between whose and who’s, (see here).

For more about contractions, (see here).