Which word should replace the underlined word? “[Its] raining, so we will have recess inside today.”

Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit · TELPAS Grade 3 writing. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Reporting category 2: find and fix an error in a short text. On the real test some of these are typed answers or sentence rewrites. Here they are multiple choice so they can be checked.

The question

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. [Its] raining, so we will have recess inside today. Which word should replace the underlined word?

• AIt’sCorrect answer
• BIts’
• CIt
• DIs

Why “It’s” is correct

This tests the difference between its and it’s. It’s is short for it is, which is what this sentence needs: it is raining. Its without an apostrophe shows ownership, as in “The dog wagged its tail.” Many writers mix these up, so it is worth saying the sentence with it is to check.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Its’ — Its’ is not a correct English word.
• It — “It raining” is missing the verb is.
• Is — “Is raining” is missing the subject it.

Practice more of this

More writing practice for Grade 3, or see the TELPAS practice test for 3rd grade.