Commonly Confused Words: It's/Its and Who's/Whose

Commonly Confused Words: It's/Its and Who's/Whose

Learning Target: I can identify the correct use of a word in a sentence and in my own writing.

Poll

I understand the difference between its and it's.

• Absolutely! I could teach it.

• I understand but do make mistakes.

• I frequently forget the rules.

• I have no idea!

Its

• Its is a possessive that indicates ownership

• Ex. The cat looked sadly at its empty bowl

• Ex. That app sure takes its time loading.

The possessive its does NOT use an apostrophe.

It's

• IT’S is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” 

• Ex. It’s a beautiful painting. 

• Ex. It’s been a long time since I talked to Jacob.

Remember: a contraction means a letter, or letters, were removed to make two words into one.
The apostrophe let's you know where the letter was removed.

Multiple Choice

Fran decided against a golden retriever puppy since __________ thick coat of long fur would be a vacuuming nightmare.

• its
• it's

Multiple Choice

The cockroaches and ants are very happy since __________ been over a week since Tommy has washed dishes or taken out the trash.

• its

• it's

Multiple Choice

The iced coffee sat forgotten on the table. __________ sweating cup formed a ring on the polished wood.

• Its
• It's

Multiple Choice

As strawberry ice cream dribbled down the cone and over his hand, Jerry complained, "__________ so hot out here that my tongue can't keep up!"

• Its
• It's

Who's

• Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has

• Ex. Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has

• Ex. Shayna, who’s going to space camp this summer, decorated her bedroom to look like a spaceship.

Whose

• Whose is the possessive form of who. It shows ownership.

• Ex. “Whose glass is on the table?” asked Ana. 

• Ex. I asked Grandpa, whose pies are beloved in my family, to make two cherry pies for the bake sale. 

Multiple Choice

_____ going to help me figure out _____ lost kitten this is?

• Who's, Whose

• Whose, Who's

Multiple Choice

When I figure out _____ backpack this is, I’ll return it.

• Who's

• Whose

Multiple Choice

Her mom told her _____ coming to the party.

• Who's

• Whose

Multiple Choice

___________ running in the track meet Friday?

• Who

• Whom

• Who's

• Whose

Poll

After this activity, I understand the difference between its and it's.

• I am still very confident.

• I feel pretty confident.

• I still have a lot of questions.