its
Determiner
UK/ɪts/US/ɪts/
Belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified; used to show possession of a non-human entity or an animal of unspecified sex.
Example Sentences
The company changed its logo to appeal to a younger audience.
The tree shed its leaves every autumn before winter arrived.
This device has its own set of instructions that you should read carefully.
The cat carried its toy around the house, refusing to let anyone else touch it.
The organization updated its policies to promote better work-life balance for employees.
The new software has its own security features, making additional plugins unnecessary.
Despite the storm, the bridge kept its structural integrity intact, a testament to the meticulous engineering behind its construction.
As the machine started up, it made a series of strange noises, suggesting that its internal gears were grinding and in need of immediate maintenance.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Shows something belongs to or is associated with an inanimate subject.“Its” is the possessive form of the pronoun “it.” You use “its” to indicate that something (generally an object, animal, or concept) possesses or is associated with something else, without implying gender. For instance, in “The car lost its wheel,” the wheel belongs to the car. It works similarly to other possessive determiners like “his,” “her,” or “their,” except it is specific to non-human or non-gendered subjects.In writing, one frequent error is confusing “its” with “it’s.” Remember that “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” whereas “its” always shows ownership. If you can substitute “it is” or “it has” and the sentence still makes sense, use “it’s.” Otherwise, if you mean possession, use “its.” Paying attention to context ensures correct usage and avoids common grammatical mistakes.Whether referencing a product (“The phone has its own operating system”), an organization (“The group changed its strategy”), or an animal (“The dog wagged its tail”), “its” provides a concise way to indicate that something belongs to or is part of a non-human subject. Maintaining proper use of “its” helps keep your writing precise and professional.
Alternatives
Because “its” specifically denotes possession for non-human subjects, there are limited direct alternatives. However, you can sometimes rewrite sentences to avoid confusion or monotony. Instead of “The book lost its cover,” you could say, “The book’s cover came off.” Or if clarity demands, give the noun a name or use a descriptive phrase: “The dog, Rex, wagged his tail.” In more personified contexts—such as talking about ships or countries—some writers might use “her” or “his,” but that’s a stylistic choice usually found in formal, literary, or nautical language.Similarly, if referencing a brand or organization, you could name it again (“The company updated the policy,” rather than “The company updated its policy”), although repeating the noun can feel wordy. Overall, “its” remains the simplest and most standard way to express third-person neuter possession. Rewriting or substituting synonyms depends mostly on style preference, clarity, and whether you’re referring to the same subject repeatedly.
Writing
When writing, “its” is a key possessive determiner for neutral or inanimate subjects. Ensure your sentence clearly identifies what “its” refers to. If multiple objects appear, restating the noun can reduce ambiguity: “The computer updated its software” is clear if only one computer is mentioned. But if you mention multiple devices in a paragraph, reintroduce the subject for clarity.Also, watch out for the common mix-up with “it’s,” which can lead to editorial or readability issues. A quick mental check—substituting “it is” or “it has”—helps confirm which form you need. If the phrase reads smoothly as “it is” or “it has,” use “it’s.” Otherwise, “its” indicates possession. In formal contexts, consistency in pronoun use is paramount, so keep track of your references. Whether you’re describing a machine, an idea, or a non-gendered living thing, “its” ensures readers understand ownership or association with that subject.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, you’ll use “its” anytime you need to say something belongs to a non-human or non-gendered subject. For example, “My phone lost its signal,” “The cat scratched its ear,” or “This coffee shop changed its menu.” Most people won’t even notice the usage because it’s so standard.Casual settings also invite accidental errors—especially mixing up “its” and “it’s.” This confusion is one of the most common grammar mistakes in texting and social media. If you want to catch the difference on the fly, try recasting the sentence mentally: “it is” or “it has” vs. ownership. If the swap doesn’t work, you likely need “its.” Keeping this small detail in mind helps make your everyday communication clearer and more polished.
Etymology
The possessive determiner “its” arose as an evolution from Old English, where “hit” was the neuter pronoun (similar to today’s “it”). Over time, English developed different possessive forms like “his” or “her,” but a uniform possessive for neuter subjects was slower to emerge. Early Modern English often used “his” for neuter objects (“the tree lost his leaves”). By the 17th century, “its” became standard to express neutral possession without implying masculine or feminine traits. The widespread use of “its” reflects English’s shift away from a heavily gendered grammatical system. While Old English had more complex gender markers, Modern English retains only a few pronoun-based gender distinctions. “Its” is thus a hallmark of simpler pronoun rules in present-day English, emphasizing an object’s ownership or belonging without attaching any humanlike attribute unless deliberately personified.