Its, it's, their, there and they're
Words that sound alike: possessives have no apostrophe; contractions do.
Updated October 29, 2026
The rule
It's means it is or it has; its means belonging to it. They're means they are; their means belonging to them; there is a place or starts a sentence (there is). You're means you are; your means belonging to you. Who's means who is; whose asks who owns something.
Possessive pronouns (its, their, your, whose, hers, ours) never take an apostrophe.
Examples
The bird flapped it's wings.The bird flapped its wings.Their going to the game.They're going to the game.
Quick test: Read it with "it is" or "they are" in its place. If the sentence still works, use the apostrophe.
Try it: find the mistake
The mistake in each sentence is highlighted. Say the fix out loud, then open the answer.
Its raining outside.
It's raining outside.
This means "it is raining", so it needs the apostrophe.
The kids put on there coats.
The kids put on their coats.
The coats belong to the kids: their.
Your going to love this book.
You're going to love this book.
This means "you are going", so it is you're.
The tree lost all of it's leaves.
The tree lost all of its leaves.
The leaves belong to the tree. The possessive its has no apostrophe.
Where this rule is tested
Questions people ask
What is the rule for its, it's, their, there and they're?
Words that sound alike: possessives have no apostrophe; contractions do. It's means it is or it has; its means belonging to it. They're means they are; their means belonging to them; there is a place or starts a sentence (there is). You're means you are; your means belonging to you. Who's means who is; whose asks who owns something.
How can I check my its, it's, their, there and they're quickly?
Read it with "it is" or "they are" in its place. If the sentence still works, use the apostrophe.
Where can I practice this for free?
In Owl Test Prep's Daily Grammar Fix: one sentence a day for everyone, plus practice sets of five on this rule. It is free, with no account.