Its vs Its: Whats the Difference?

Here, we’ll explain the difference between its and it’s with clear rules, examples, and tips to help you use them confidently. That’s because the two words are pronounced the same way and have the same base pronoun (it) at the root of their spellings. A strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing

The Experience Blog

When what its like to be drunk the body can no longer excrete alcohol effectively, all vital functions slow dramatically. Reaching the stupor stage of intoxication is extremely dangerous and indicates severe alcohol poisoning. During this “excitement” or depressive phase, individuals begin to display more pronounced signs of impaired function. This highlights why does being drunk feel good for many, and how that sensation can drive problematic use.

But the simple addition of an apostrophe changes the word’s meaning entirely. Have you ever mixed up its and it’s and then realized you don’t know for certain when the apostrophe is needed and when it’s not? Keep in mind that using contractions, such as it’s, is discouraged in formal writing contexts. It’s is a contraction of the words it and is or it and has. Really, it is OK if you confuse it’s (with an apostrophe between the t and s), and its (without any apostrophe at all). This apostrophe form of the possessive remained extremely common throughout the 17th century.

A hangover typically feels like a combination of headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, increased anxiety, and depression the morning after heavy drinking. Alcohol affects the brain by enhancing GABA (calming neurotransmitter) and decreasing glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter), leading to depressive effects. This challenging phase is also when most individuals are at the highest risk for relapse if they attempt to detox without support. Because of the brain’s powerful dependence on alcohol, attempting to get sober on your own can be incredibly difficult, painful, and even life-threatening. This cluster of withdrawal-like symptoms creates a strong aversion, which for many, results in a desire to continue drinking to alleviate the discomfort.

Table of Contents

• These facts about the stages of drunkenness are, therefore, a sobering antidote to the notion that “getting drunk” is a harmless form of social entertainment.
• The profound danger for individuals with an alcohol use disorder lies in the fact that their body and brain now require more and more alcohol just to feel euphoric or even just “normal” and to avoid withdrawal.
• Keep in mind that using contractions, such as it’s, is discouraged in formal writing contexts.
• But the simple addition of an apostrophe changes the word’s meaning entirely.
• This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

These neurological stages are no less scary because humans can’t see them. Indeed, at a BAC of .45 or above, you are probably going to die from alcohol poisoning. As an illustration, consider what happens when you get drunk. In addition to being the most commonly abused drug, alcohol is probably the most dangerous drug. When you think of dangerous drugs, you don’t first think of alcohol, do you? Mistakes like mixing up it’s and its happen often, even to the most skilled writers.

Word choice

• This apostrophe form of the possessive remained extremely common throughout the 17th century.
• The effects of alcohol can range from mildly altering perceptions to posing extreme dangers, even leading to life-threatening situations.
• Anyone who drinks heavily should know the health risks ahead of time— as well as how to get help for an alcohol problem.
• Indeed, at a BAC of .45 or above, you are probably going to die from alcohol poisoning.

At this point, control over movements and emotions is significantly diminished, and they may experience profound confusion or find it incredibly difficult to stand or maintain balance without assistance. Despite its common misperception as a stimulant, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol’s effects are not static; they change significantly as intake increases. This escalation is a common indicator of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Adding an apostrophe to its because it “looks right”

And drop that apostrophe everywhere else. Pronouns—those efficient little words we use to stand in for nouns, like I, you, he, she, we, they, and it—also had gender; the gender of a pronoun was determined by the gender of the noun it referred to. It’s is a contraction, in the style of can’t for cannot and she’s for she is.

Let’s take a look at some examples of its and it’s. Using it’s rather than it is or it has also lends a less formal, more conversational tone to writing and conversation. In this example, the word its indicates that the case belongs to the laptop. But English does not use apostrophes when denoting possession in personal pronouns like our, her, his, their, and its. It’s is a contraction that means it is or it has. The rule to remember is that if you’re describing ownership, you use its rather than it’s.

The Health Dangers of Alcohol

Long-term risks include liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one unit per hour, which is roughly equivalent to 10 milliliters (ml) or 8 grams of alcohol. Alcohol stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which contribute to these feelings.

Building Healthier Drinking Habits

Many individuals at this point may continue drinking excessively, attempting to counteract the growing drowsiness, mistakenly believing more alcohol will keep them “up.” Understanding these stages can illuminate how does it feel to be drunk at various levels of intoxication. Someone who consistently engages in heavy drinking will develop a higher tolerance, requiring more alcohol to reach their desired state and to satisfy the body and brain’s cravings. These individual factors, alongside the amount and speed of alcohol intake, dictate a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and their progression through the stages of intoxication. Everyone is affected differently by alcohol, with some individuals experiencing the effects more rapidly or intensely than others. There are distinct stages to being drunk, and the speed at which an individual progresses through these stages depends on a multitude of factors, including their personal tolerance and the quantity of alcohol consumed.

If it doesn’t make sense, then there’s no need for an apostrophe. If the sentence makes sense, then an apostrophe is needed. When in doubt, substitute the word in question with it is or it has. Its is the possessive form of it, and is used to show possession or belonging. It’s is a contraction that stands for it is or it has. Read on to learn what these words mean and how to use them correctly.

Excessive drinking can lead to severe health issues, both in the short term and long term. However, the social context can also contribute to risky behaviors, such as binge drinking or drinking and driving. A higher BAC generally corresponds to more severe effects of intoxication.

In English, possessive pronouns never use apostrophes. The apostrophe replaces the missing letter i in is, which is why you need it’s, not its. The apostrophe is the leading cause of confusion between the two words. The choice between its and it’s depends on the apostrophe. Remember, any time you use it’s, you must be able to substitute either it is or it has in the word’s place.

The effects of alcohol can last from a few hours to longer, depending on various factors, including the amount consumed, individual metabolism, and overall health. The stages of being drunk range from sobriety to potential death, with each stage characterized by specific emotional and physical symptoms. Being drunk can initially feel euphoric and social, but as intoxication increases, it can lead to confusion, loss of coordination, and emotional instability. Alcohol acts as a disinhibitor, making individuals feel more relaxed and open in social interactions. Could it be that we don’t always realize just how dangerous the effects of alcohol are on the human brain and body?

For example, an August 2018 study at the University of Washington School of Medicine concluded there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The answer appears to be “yes,” on the basis of new findings into the health dangers of alcohol. Although apostrophes usually signal possession, such as Sarah’s phone, this rule does not apply to possessive pronouns. So, even though it’s might “look right” because we usually use apostrophes to show possession, that rule doesn’t apply to pronouns.

This experience is a combination of unpleasant physical symptoms (severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue) and a profound increase in anxiety and depression. If this pattern of heavy, rapid drinking continues for long periods, the body will inevitably adapt to the consistently high levels of alcohol consumed. This enables them to either maintain a certain level of intoxication or gives their body a chance to completely eliminate the alcohol before the next drink. When people drink, all their individual physical and genetic factors combine with how much they are drinking and how quickly.