its

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a possessive pronoun to indicate ownership or association with a non-human subject or entity. Example: "The cat licked its paws after eating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the court were to rule the law unconstitutional when it issues its decision in June, it could prove a significant blow to Obama's re-election campaign by striking down his most important piece of legislation and bolstering conservative opposition.

The Guardian

"Extending Ofcom's powers to enable it to take pre-emptive action would move it from its current position as a post-transmission regulator into the role of censor".

The Guardian

Apple's chief designer Jonathan Ive recently criticised Xiaomi's alleged copying of its iPhone, saying: "It is theft and it is lazy.

The Guardian - Tech

In response, it cleaned up its act, and thereby lifted the bar for the entire industry.

The New York Times

It had high profit margins and real pricing power, even as it was paying its workers union wages.

The Economist

The FCA said the bank should have placed more importance on this, particularly as it was reviewing its procedures as a result of the Libor fine.

The Guardian - Business

But he made it clear that the corporation responded to directions given to it by the government, its only shareholder.

The Guardian

3. The Promoter shall use and take care of any personal information you supply to it as described in its privacy policy, a copy of which can be seen here and in accordance with data protection legislation.

The Guardian

It's kind of in its own little bubble.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Hacking is one of the most intrusive surveillance capabilities available to any intelligence agency, and its use and safeguards surrounding it should be the subject of proper debate.

The Guardian

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always proofread to differentiate between "its" (possessive) and "it's" (contraction of "it is" or "it has").

Common error

A common error is using "it's" (a contraction) when "its" (possessive) is needed. Always double-check if you mean "it is" or "it has" before using "it's". Use "its" to show ownership: "The dog wagged its tail."

Linguistic Context

"Its" functions as a possessive determiner, modifying a noun to indicate ownership or association. Ludwig AI examples confirm its role in denoting belonging to a non-human entity or object. It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with "it".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its" is a possessive determiner used to indicate ownership by a non-human entity or object. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Pay close attention to the difference between "its" and "it's" to avoid errors. Use "its" to show possession, and "it's" as a contraction for "it is" or "it has". Understanding the proper use of "its" will enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to it

Replaces the possessive determiner with a prepositional phrase indicating ownership.

of it

Uses a preposition to show association or origin, rather than direct possession.

its own

Emphasizes that something belongs uniquely to the specified entity.

pertaining to it

Offers a more formal way to indicate relevance or connection.

that belongs to it

A more verbose construction to indicate possession.

the thing it has

Breaks down the possessive into a simpler, descriptive phrase.

that is its

Reorders the phrase to clarify possession.

the property of it

Emphasizes ownership in a formal or legal context.

in its possession

Highlights the act of holding or owning something.

unique to it

Stresses the exclusivity of the attribute or object.

FAQs

What is the difference between "its" and "it's"?

"Its" is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership (e.g., "The dog wagged its tail"). "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has" (e.g., "It's raining", "It's been a long day").

How do I use "its" in a sentence?

Use "its" to show possession by a singular, non-human entity. For example: "The company announced its new policy."

Can I use "its" to refer to people?

No, "its" is generally not used to refer to people. Use possessive pronouns like "his" or "her" for individuals, or "their" for plural entities.

What are some alternatives to using "its"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "belonging to it" or "of it". To improve clarity you may also consider rewriting the sentence.