The correct way to write...

[sfyn2it]

Hello,
I am always unsure when to use its or it's. The current challenge lies in the following sentence:

"Immigration to the United States had left the family in a poor shape and its trial and error method to assimilate was unsuccessful in providing a structure necessary for schooling."


Your help is appreciated.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello,
I am always unsure when to use its or it's. The current challenge lies in the following sentence:

"Immigration to the United States had left the family in a poor shape and its trial and error method to assimilate was unsuccessful in providing a structure necessary for schooling."


Your help is appreciated.

It's (it is) not so difficult but it's (it has) always been a problem for learners. If "it is" or "it has" fits the sentence, you should use the apostrophe. If not, you shouldn't.

 

[sfyn2it]

It's (it is) not so difficult but it's (it has) always been a problem for learners. If "it is" or "it has" fits the sentence, you should use the apostrophe. If not, you shouldn't.

Thank you for the lesson. To quiz myself...the above sentence should then read "its" and NOT "it's". Is that the proper understanding?

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you for the lesson. To quiz myself...the above sentence should then read "its" and NOT "it's". Is that the proper understanding?

Yes, that's right.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, you're right. "It's" is always a contraction. "Its" isn't. "Its" is the possessive.

My defence.
Your defence.
His defence.
Its defence.