Cluster 3 direct entries 12 related
Words like “Its”
The pairs and near-pairs that trip people up around Its. Start with the direct confusables — then follow the thread through the same tag.
i · Direct pairs3 pairs
Punctuation
Its vs. It’s
Possessive versus contraction — a rare case where no apostrophe wins.
IT’S = it is. ITS = belongs to it.
Punctuation Its vs. It’s
Possessive versus contraction.
ITS = possessive. IT’S = it is.
Punctuation It vs. Its
A pronoun versus its possessive.
ITS = possessive. IT’S = it is.
ii · Follow the thread By tag
Entries in the same category — pick one if the main cluster didn't land.
Punctuation
However, ...
Semicolon before "however" joining clauses.
PunctuationTherefore, ...
Same semicolon rule.
PunctuationRun-on sentence
Two clauses run together.
PunctuationOxford comma
Before the final AND.
PunctuationJones's vs Jones'
Singular names ending in S.
PunctuationHyphenated compound adjectives
Before the noun, use hyphens.
PunctuationEn / em dash
Different widths, different jobs.
PunctuationEllipsis vs. ....
Three dots, not four.
PunctuationScare quotes
Overused irony.
PunctuationSingle vs double quotes
US: double primary. UK: single primary.
PunctuationComma before "too"
Optional.
PunctuationSemicolon in lists
Use when list items contain commas.
Looking for a specific mistake, not a word?