It's mine vs That's mine

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

It's mine

Top 2,000 (common)

That's mine

Top 2,000 (common)
 It's mineThat's mine
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪts maɪn//🇺🇸 //ɪts maɪn//🇬🇧 //ðæts maɪn//🇺🇸 //ðæts maɪn//
MeaningThis thing belongs to me.It belongs to me.
ExampleLook at this amazing book, it's mine!When I saw the backpack, I quickly said, 'That's mine!'
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsit's definitely mine, don't touch, it's mine, yes, it's mineclaim that's mine, say that's mine, know that's mine
Common mistakesConfused with 'it's your' - remember 'mine' shows ownership for oneself., Using inappropriately in formal settings, e.g., during presentations.Omitting the subject (saying 'mine' alone can be unclear)., Using it inappropriately in formal contexts., Mispronouncing the phrase, making it sound less confident.
Usage notesUse when indicating ownership. Avoid in formal writing; better suited for conversations.Use this phrase to assert ownership. It's appropriate in casual conversations, but may sound confrontational in formal settings.

See it in real clips

It's mine
That's mine

Frequently asked questions: It's mine vs That's mine

What's the difference between It's mine and That's mine?

It's mine: This thing belongs to me. That's mine: It belongs to me.

Can you show an example of each?

It's mine: Look at this amazing book, it's mine! That's mine: When I saw the backpack, I quickly said, 'That's mine!'

Can I use It's mine and That's mine interchangeably?

Not always. It's mine and That's mine are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.