APOSTROPHES*
The apostrophe (’) has two uses: (1) to form the possessive case of nouns and indefinite
pronouns, (2) to mark the omitted material in contractions.
Possessive case
a) Add ’s to singular nouns and indefinite pronouns:
Everyone’s eyes followed the bouncing ball. [indefinite pronoun]
The child’s cries wakened the household.
b) Add ’s even to singular nouns that end in s :
The boss’s understanding made the job easier.
The witness’s silence caused the prosecution’s case to collapse.
Exception. We often omit the possessive s of a few singular nouns ending in an s or
z sound: names with more than one s or z sound (Moses, Pisces), names that sound
like plurals (Rivers, Bridges), and nouns followed by a word beginning in s. In such
cases, the writer may indicate possession by adding only the apostrophe:
Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses’ cradle floating in the bulrushes.
Donna has always enjoyed Beau Bridges’ acting.
He reported the theft for his conscience’ sake.
Nonetheless, it is permissible to add the possessive s: Moses’s cradle, Bridges’s acting,
conscience’s sake.
c) Add ’s to plural nouns not ending in s :
The children’s supper was served in the kitchen.
The news media’s practice of seeking sensation has degraded public discourse.
d) Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns ending in s :
The Joneses’ lifestyle is highly materialistic.
Chancellor Mirabeau handed out the students’ diplomas.
* Adapted from Fowler, H. Ramsey, and Jane E. Aaron, The Little, Brown Handbook, 10th Ed., New York: Pearson
Longman, 2007, 461-468.
NOTE 1: The apostrophe or apostrophe+s for the possessive is an addition to the word
naming the owner or owners. Thus, “the banner belonging to the girls” becomes ”the girls’
banner,” not “the girl’s banner.”
NOTE 2: Do not use an apostrophe to form the possessive of a personal pronoun. Thus,
“the color of the sweater” becomes “its color,” not “it’s color,” and “the book belongs to
you” becomes “the book is yours,” not “the book is your’s.”
NOTE 3: Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. Thus, “the Smiths drove
both cars to the game,” not “the Smith’s drove both car’s to the game.”
Contractions
An apostrophe indicates a dropped syllable or “contraction” in spoken English, for example,
class of ’13 (class of 2013) and don’t (do not). Contractions are generally not used in
academic writing but may be used in informal writing and in written dialogue. Examples of
common contractions follow:
It is, it has

it’s
does not

doesn’t
Who is, who has

who’s
were not

weren’t
They are

they’re
would not

wouldn’t
You are

you’re
of the clock 
o’clock
CAVEAT: Contractions may be confused with possessive pronouns. Take note of the
differences:
Contraction
Possessive Pronoun
it’s (it is)
its
they’re (they are)
their
you’re (you are)
your
who’s (who is, who has)
whose
Not Plurals
It was once common – but is no longer desirable – to include an apostrophe in forming the
plural of abbreviations, dates, and words or characters named as words:
Former practice
Preferred practice
BA’s
BAs
1980’s
1980s
C’s
Cs
no if’s, and’s, or but’s
no ifs, ands, or buts