Grammar its or it's

[Shosht]

I am trying to explain to one of my teachers why we say its tail not it's tail. My explanation is not that clear, so can someone please help me out. Thanks

 

[tedtmc]

not a teacher

It's = It is (short form) e.g. It's raining - It is raining
Its = Possessive pronoun The cat's tail - its tail
Any English dictionary would have the explanation.

 

[Raymott]

I am trying to explain to one of my teachers why we say its tail not it's tail. My explanation is not that clear, so can someone please help me out. Thanks

Pronouns don't use apostrophes (except "one's"). 'It's' is always a contraction, but this has not always been the case.
We don't say 'it's' and 'its' differently. It's only in writing that a difference exists.
Dictionaries don't explain this. You could look up the etymology of personal pronouns for more information.

 

[tedtmc]

It is explain in the dictioinary. Its | Define Its at Dictionary.com

 

[Raymott]

It is explain in the dictioinary. Its | Define Its at Dictionary.com

Yes, it's explained in that dictionary. It's not explained in most dictionaries.

 

[Nightmare85]

I believe you, Shosht, should use a full sentence.
Just writing "its tail not it's tail" is not good in my opinion.

I've touched the cat's tail.
I've touched its (whose? -> the cat's) tail.

You need more context if you want to explain such things; not just 2 words.

Cheers!

 

[Mohammadhelmi]

it's = contraction form of (it is)
its = possessive adjective and always followed by now

1. It's getting dark = it is
2. The chair's hand is broken = its hand

 

[Raymott]

its = possessive adjective and always followed by now

I wonder what this means. :roll:
In case anyone is in doubt, there is no necessity for 'its' to be followed by 'now'. May he meant "a noun".