Have you ever paused mid-sentence, fingers hovering over the keyboard, wondering whether to write its or their? You’re not alone. This tiny grammar choice trips up students, professionals, bloggers, and even native speakers every single day. Both words deal with possession, both appear short and harmless, and both often show up in similar sentence positions. That’s exactly why the confusion sticks around.
The real issue is that English doesn’t always behave logically. One word refers to ownership by a single thing, while the other points to ownership by multiple people or objects. When sentences get abstract, generic, or neutral, deciding between its or their can feel like guesswork.
Although they look/sound similar, they serve completely different purposes.
Once you understand what each word actually represents—and how English grammar treats number and agreement—the confusion disappears. In this guide, we’ll break down its or their in plain, friendly English, using real examples, conversations, and memory tricks that actually work. By the end, choosing the correct word will feel automatic, not stressful.
What Is “Its”?
Its is a possessive determiner. It shows ownership or belonging to one thing, usually a singular noun that is not a person.
Meaning and Usage
Use its when you’re talking about something that belongs to an object, animal, organization, or abstract idea. It answers the question: Who does this belong to?—when the answer is one thing.
Many writers mistakenly confuse its with it’s, but they are not the same. Its shows possession, while it’s means it is or it has.
Where It’s Used
- Common in both American and British English
- Used in formal, informal, academic, and everyday writing
- Accepted in all standard grammar rules
Examples in Sentences
- The company updated its privacy policy last night.
- The dog wagged its tail happily.
- Every device has its own limitations.
- The city lost its historical charm over time.
In each example, its refers back to one specific thing.
Short Usage Note
Historically, English dropped the apostrophe from possessive pronouns (his, hers, its). That’s why its has no apostrophe—even though it feels like it should.
What Is “Their”?
Their is also a possessive determiner, but it shows ownership by more than one person or thing.
Meaning and Usage
Use their when something belongs to a group, whether that group is specific or general. It refers to plural nouns and is often used when the subject involves people.
Modern English also uses their as a gender-neutral singular option, which adds another layer of confusion when choosing between its or their.
Spelling and Usage Differences
- Their = possession
- There = place
- They’re = they are
Only their shows ownership.
Examples in Sentences
- The students submitted their assignments early.
- The parents shared their concerns openly.
- Everyone forgot their password again.
- The teams celebrated their victories together.
Regional and Grammatical Notes
- Used globally in English
- Singular their is widely accepted in modern writing
- Common in both spoken and written language
Because of its flexibility, their often appears where people mistakenly think its might work.
Key Differences Between Its and Their
At a Glance
- Its refers to one thing
- Their refers to multiple people or objects
- Its is never used for people
- Their can be plural or gender-neutral singular
Comparison Table
| Feature | Its | Their |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Possessive determiner | Possessive determiner |
| Refers to | One non-human thing | Multiple people/things |
| Used for people | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Singular use | Yes | Sometimes |
| Plural use | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Common confusion | With it’s | With there / they’re |
Understanding these distinctions makes choosing its or their far easier.
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1
A: The company changed their logo.
B: Do you mean its logo? It’s one company.
🎯 Lesson: Use its for a single organization.
Dialogue 2
A: Every student forgot its ID card.
B: It should be their ID card. Students are people.
🎯 Lesson: Use their for people, even when general.
Dialogue 3
A: The phone lost their signal.
B: Phones don’t have “their.” Use its.
🎯 Lesson: Objects use its, not their.
Dialogue 4
A: Someone left its bag here.
B: Better to say their bag—it sounds natural.
🎯 Lesson: Singular their works for unknown people.
Common Mistakes Writers Make With Its or Their
Even confident writers slip up when using its or their, especially in long or complex sentences. One frequent mistake is matching the word to the nearest noun instead of the true owner. Another issue appears in generic statements, where writers instinctively choose its even though the subject refers to people in general.
For example, sentences that talk about everyone, someone, or each person often feel singular, but they still need their in modern English. Rushing through sentences without checking ownership leads to errors that can easily be avoided with a quick pause and review.
How Sentence Structure Affects Its or Their Choice
Sentence structure plays a big role in choosing between its or their. When clauses are long or ideas are layered, the owner of an object can become unclear. Writers then guess instead of analyzing the subject.
Short, direct sentences make ownership obvious. In contrast, passive constructions or descriptive phrases can hide whether the subject is singular or plural. Rewriting the sentence in a simpler form often reveals the correct choice instantly, helping you decide between its or their with confidence.
Its or Their in Academic and Professional Writing
In academic and professional writing, precision matters. Using its or their incorrectly can weaken clarity and make writing feel careless. Institutions, systems, and theories always take its, while groups of researchers, participants, or employees require their.
Most style guides now accept singular their to maintain inclusivity, especially when gender is unknown. Choosing clarity over outdated rules improves readability and avoids awkward phrasing that distracts from the message.
How Context Changes the Meaning of Its or Their
Context can completely change which word is correct. A sentence about a company may use its, but the moment the focus shifts to employees, their becomes necessary. The key is identifying the real subject of the sentence, not just the topic being discussed.
When context shifts mid-sentence, writers must adjust accordingly. Failing to do so is one of the most common reasons its or their feels confusing, even when grammar knowledge is solid.
Editing Tip: How to Self-Check Its or Their Instantly
A quick editing trick can save you from mistakes. Replace the word with “it owns” or “they own.” If “it owns” sounds right, use its. If “they own” fits better, choose their.
Reading the sentence out loud also helps. The wrong choice often sounds awkward when spoken, making errors easier to catch before publishing or submitting your work.
Why Mastering Its or Their Improves Writing Quality
Correct use of its or their improves more than grammar—it improves trust. Readers notice clean, accurate language, even if they can’t explain why something feels polished. Small details like possessive agreement signal professionalism and care.
Once this distinction becomes automatic, your writing flows more naturally. You spend less time second-guessing and more time focusing on ideas, tone, and clarity.
When to Use Its vs Their
Practical Usage Rules
Use its when:
- Referring to a single object
- Talking about animals (when gender isn’t specified)
- Describing companies, brands, or systems
Use their when:
- Referring to more than one person
- Talking about groups or teams
- Writing gender-neutral sentences
Simple Memory Tricks
- Its = It owns something
- Their = They own something
- If you can replace it with they, choose their
- If it fits better, use its
US vs UK Writing
Both American and British English follow the same rules for its or their. Singular their is accepted in both styles, especially in modern writing.
Fun Facts or History
- Its didn’t become common until the 17th century. Before that, writers often used his for objects.
- Singular their has been used by famous writers like Shakespeare and Jane Austen—long before modern grammar debates.
FAQs
Is it wrong to use “their” for one person?
No. Singular their is widely accepted and sounds natural when gender is unknown or irrelevant.
Can “its” ever refer to people?
No. Its is never used for people—only objects, animals, or concepts.
Why do people confuse its or their so often?
Both show possession and appear in similar sentence positions, which causes hesitation.
Is singular “their” informal?
Not anymore. It’s accepted in formal and professional writing.
How can I stop making this mistake?
Check whether the owner is one thing or multiple people—that decision usually solves it.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between its or their isn’t about memorizing rules—it’s about recognizing who owns what in a sentence. Its belongs to one thing, while their belongs to people or groups, whether plural or gender-neutral. Once you pause and identify the owner, the right word becomes obvious. With the examples, conversations, and memory tricks you’ve learned here, you can now write with clarity and confidence. Next time someone uses these two words, you’ll know exactly what they mean!
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