English grammar
Its or it's? Their, there or they're?
Spell its / it's and their / there / they're correctly.
From the scene Its or it's?
In short
An apostrophe here means letters are missing: it's = it is, they're = they are. Its and their show belonging.
- it is (short form) it's not the computer
- belonging to it its screen
- they are (short form) they're switched off
- belonging to them their emails
- there is / are is there such a word?
Your turn
Which one goes with belonging to it?
Options: its screen · it's not the computer · they're switched off
Show answer
belonging to it → its screen
How it works
It's is short for it is or it has: it's not the computer. Its, with no apostrophe, means belonging to it: its screen.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Exactly! It's not a technical fault, (blank) a human one.
Options: it's · its · its'
Show answer
Exactly! It's not a technical fault, it's a human one.
¡Eso es! No es un fallo técnico, sino humano.
Good to know
They're is short for they are, and their means belonging to them. There is for places, and for there is / there are.
Good to know
The words in each group sound the same, so only the spelling shows the difference.
it is (short form) it's not the computer
Nuria
Only for "it is" or "it has": it's not the computer, it's the user.
Solo para «it is» o «it has»: no es el ordenador, es el usuario.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Only for "it is" or "it has": (blank), it's the user.
Options: it's not the computer · its screen · they're switched off
Show answer
Nuria
Only for "it is" or "it has": it's not the computer, it's the user.
Solo para «it is» o «it has»: no es el ordenador, es el usuario.
belonging to it its screen
Your turn
What goes with its screen?
Options: belonging to it · it is (short form) · they are (short form)
Show answer
its screen → belonging to it
they are (short form) they're switched off
Nuria
Wrong both times. They're not working? They're switched off.
Mal las dos veces. ¿No funcionan? «They're». Están apagados: «they're».
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Wrong both times. They're not working? (blank).
Options: Its screen · They're switched off · It's not the computer
Show answer
Nuria
Wrong both times. They're not working? They're switched off.
Mal las dos veces. ¿No funcionan? «They're». Están apagados: «they're».
belonging to them their emails
Nuria
It's for owners: everyone opens their emails, but nobody opens your notices.
Es para el dueño: todo el mundo abre sus correos, pero nadie abre tus avisos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
It's for owners: everyone opens (blank), but nobody opens your notices.
Options: it's not the computer · its screen · their emails
Show answer
Nuria
It's for owners: everyone opens their emails, but nobody opens your notices.
Es para el dueño: todo el mundo abre sus correos, pero nadie abre tus avisos.
there is / are is there such a word?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it is (short form) | it's not the computer |
|---|---|
| belonging to it | its screen |
| they are (short form) | they're switched off |
| belonging to them | their emails |
| there is / are | is there such a word? |
More lines from the story
- JaviExactly! It's not a technical fault, it's a human one.¡Eso es! No es un fallo técnico, sino humano.
- JaviWell, if they don't open them, it's not my fault: it's the proofreader's.Pues si no los abren, no es culpa mía: es de la correctora.
- JaviNuria, my notice for the office. Will you check it for me?Nuria, mi aviso para la oficina. ¿Me lo revisas?