APOSTROPHES
Apostrophes, like most of the punctuation marks, have limited
uses, but are often misused. Today we will look at the correct
uses and try to eliminate the incorrect uses.
Correct uses:
1. Apostrophes show possession of nouns and indirect pronouns.
Possession means that someone or something owns something
or has close relationship with something.
Example: The boy’s books. The hair’s texture.
If the phrase can be restated with of, as in “the texture of
the hair,” in most cases, it is better to use the apostrophe form.
Singular nouns and singular indefinite pronouns become
possessive by adding the apostrophe followed by an s.
Example: Sara’s smile. Everyone’s assignment.
NOTICE THAT POSSESSIVE PERSONAL PRONOUNS (my, mine,
your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs) NEVER
TAKE AN APOSTROPHE. FOR EXAMPLE, IT’S MEANS IT IS.
Even if the singular noun ends in an s, an apostrophe + s must be
added in most cases. However, some people now use only the
apostrophe with a proper name ending in s if it will create an
awkward pronunciation (for example, Charles Dickens’s or
Dickens’). Using the apostrophe + s ensures knowing if the noun
is singular or plural.
Example: Charles’s home. Success’s requirements.
Plural nouns that end in s make the possessive form by adding
only the apostrophe. This helps differentiate between singular
and plural forms as well.
Example: The girls’ teams. Angels’ wings.
Plurals that do not end in s make the possessive form by adding
the apostrophe + s.
Example: The people’s choice. The geese’s formations.
REMEMBER: With plural apostrophes, you must make the word
PLURAL first, THEN make it POSSESSIVE.
In singular compound words, the possessive is made by adding
apostrophe + s to the last word.
Example: The son-in-law’s job. The football player’s salary.
In joint or group phrases, the placement of the apostrophe(s) is
determined by whether the elements in the phrase are acting
together or individually.
Example: Sam and Jeri’s home. (They have the home
jointly.)
Sam’s and Jeri’s homes. (They have separate
homes.)
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2. Apostrophes form contractions.
Contractions are made by joining two words and omitting one or
more letters in the process, and placing an apostrophe where the
letters have been omitted.
Example: Can not = can’t. Would have = would’ve. We are =
we’re.
3. Apostrophes form plurals of numerals, letters, symbols, and
words used as terms.
When numerals or letters are used in plural forms, they are
usually formed by adding the apostrophe + s.
Example: At 6’s and 7’s. Q’s are often hard to distinguish
from O’s. Watch your p’s and q’s.
When plural symbols are used, they are usually formed by adding
the apostrophe + s.
Example: Dollar signs are made by using $’s. Hugs and kisses
are shown by using the symbols x’s and o’s.
When words are used as terms, they are usually formed by
adding the apostrophe + s.
Example: The for’s shouted louder that the con’s.
Some people form plural numerals, letters, symbols, and words
used as terms by adding only the s without the apostrophe.
While this form is acceptable, switching back and forth between
using and not using the apostrophe is not acceptable.
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Incorrect uses:
1. Never use apostrophes to show possession of personal
pronouns. They are made by adding the s only or changing the
form of the word.
Example: He = his. Who = whose. She = her; hers.
When the apostrophe is used, a contraction has been formed.
It is the most common pronoun mistake. It’s means it is, not the
possessive form.
2. Verbs do NOT have possessive forms. The s on a verb means
SINGULAR and NEVER requires an apostrophe.
Example: The lever work’s the machine. (incorrect)
The lever works the machine. (correct)
3. Nouns ending in s (whether or not the noun is plural) that are
not possessive do not use the apostrophe.
Example: The reports’ are ready for delivery. (incorrect)
The reports are ready for delivery. (correct)
4. Do not use apostrophe + s with plural nouns ending in s.
Example: Many theater’s programs are changing. (incorrect)
The theaters’s programs are changing. (incorrect)
The theaters’ programs are changing. (correct)