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It's or Its?

In this exercise you will be presented with a series of sentences each containing a blank space. You will have to decide whether you need 'it's' or 'its'.

1

The cat had eaten all _______ food.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. The possessive 'its' makes sense here. No. You need the possessive 'its' here without an apostrophe. 'It's' means 'it has' or 'it is' and makes no sense here.
Check your answer

2

'________ been an awful day,' she sighed.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. 'It's' is short for 'it has' in this sentence. No. 'Its' is the possessive form meaning 'belonging to it' and makes no sense in this sentence.
Check your answer

3

'Give me a shout when _______ ready,' she said.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. 'It's' is short for 'it is' in this sentence. No. You need 'it's' the contracted form of 'it is' in this sentence.
Check your answer

4

The old house had lost all ________ windows and doors.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need the possessive form in this sentence. No. You need the possessive form 'its' in this sentence.
Check your answer

5

The army has reprimanded many of _______ soldiers.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. The possessive form 'its' is needed here.No. You need the possessive form 'its' to make this sentence make sense.
Check your answer

6

_______ never been possible to book a train ticket on line.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need the contracted form 'it's' short for 'it has' in this sentence. No. You need the contracted form of 'it has' to make this sentence make sense.
Check your answer

7

'I don't know why _______ so difficult for you to understand this!' he shouted.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need the short form of 'it is' in this sentence. No. You need the contracted form of 'it is' to make this sentence make sense.
Check your answer

8

The village has lost half _______ population since the new road was built.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need the possessive form 'its' in this sentence. No. You need the possessive form its to make this sentence make sense.
Check your answer

9

The new school is very proud of _______ reputation.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need the possessive form 'its' in this sentence. No. You need the possessive form 'its' to make this sentence make sense.
Check your answer

10

'_______ never going to work!' she whispered.

a) its
b) it's
Well done. You need 'it's', the contracted form of 'it is' in this sentence. No. You need a contracted form of 'it is' in this sentence.
Check your answer

Find out more about the use of 'it's' and 'its'.

See a list of other grammar exercises.