FaithWriters.com-Christian Writers Forum

I see this error every day; its or it's being used incorrectly.

It's is a contraction for it is. It's is never, ever, ever a possessive.

"The dog chases it's tail" is incorrect.
"The baby played with it's toy" is incorrect.

The dog chases its tail. Correct.
The baby played with its toy. Correct.

It's a fine day. Correct.
It's a Wonderful Life. Correct.

The same problem arises with theirs (that blue car, which is theirs, is parked behind mine) and there's (there's that blue car, blocking me in again!). I guess in both cases the confusion is logical - 's is the possessive in most cases, but not here. Gotta love the English language and its idiosyncrasies

This bugs me, too.

Just an addendum: it's can also be a contraction for 'it has.'

It's been a long day, and it's only just 9:00 a.m. Time for coffee.

Thank you for adding that, Jan. It's always time for coffee.

And thank you, Kat. Incorrect usage does extend to the other possessive pronouns all too often. Your's, her's, their's, and our's are all INCORRECT.

"It's always time for coffee."

Couldn't agree more