it's
The thing is
It's is the contraction of "it is" or "it has": It's raining, It's been a long day.
The apostrophe marks the missing letters.
Writers frequently confuse it's with the possessive its, which has no apostrophe—a peculiarity of English where the possessive form breaks the usual apostrophe rule.
Mark showing ownership
- shortenedMade more concise
- elisionDropped sounds in speech
- informalRelaxed, not official
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
spoken · conversational · grammatical · abbreviation · reduction · informality · dialogue · syntax
State of fitting in
- ownershipLegal right of possession
- propertySomething owned or inherent
- associatedConnected in relationship
- attributedAssigned to a source
characteristic · inherent · attached · related · connected · pertaining · proper · respective
apostrophe
Mark showing ownership
colloquial · spoken · conversational · grammatical · abbreviation · reduction · informality · dialogue · syntax · written
belonging
State of fitting in
- ownershipLegal right of possession
- propertySomething owned or inherent
- associatedConnected in relationship
attributed · characteristic · inherent · attached · related · connected · pertaining · proper · respective · corresponding
the thing
Specific matter of importance
exactly · specifically · particularly · indeed · certainly · truly · really · actually · just so
- it's okayExpression of reassurance
- it's all rightExpression of reassurance
- it's about timeRelief at belated occurrence
- it's nothingPolite minimization of thanks
- it's overConclusion has arrived
- it's alrightReassurance of adequacy