UWF Writing Lab
Rules of Thumb for
Possessives/Apostrophes
from
Real Good Grammar, Too
by Mamie Webb Hixon
Created by April Turner
1
2
A Facebook Ad - October 2010
3
IS TV AT IT’S BEST
4
Sign on meeting/conference room door of
Tryon Branch Library, Pensacola, FL
5
6
7
8
9
Writers use the apostrophe to substitute
for the preposition of, by, with, or for:






a doctor’s appointment (appointment with
the doctor)
a week’s notice (notice of one week)
the children’s toys (toys for the children)
Presidents’ Day (Day for [two] Presidents)
the boss’s desk (desk of the boss)
Sophocles’ plays (plays by Sophocles)
10
Use the apostrophe and -s or only the
apostrophe in these instances:




For singular nouns before plural nouns or other
singular nouns: attorney’s fees, the book’s editor
For singular nouns ending in –s: Bill Gates’s
computer OR Bill Gates’ computer (unless the
pronunciation is distorted: Ulysses’ computer, NOT
Ulysses’s computer)
For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van, my
parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all
instructors’ grades
For plural nouns not ending in –s: the people’s
court, women’s rights
11
Use the apostrophe and -s or only the
apostrophe in these instances:





For indefinite pronouns: nobody’s business
For joint ownership: Ted and Jane’s wedding
For individual ownership: Ted’s and Jane’s
wedding rings
For compound singular nouns: the lieutenant
governor’s staff
For compound plural nouns: my brothers-inlaw’s jobs
12
Use the apostrophe and -s or only the
apostrophe in these instances:






For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s
degree, bachelor’s degrees
For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s and
A’s
For words used as words: too many wherefore’s in
legalese
For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s
For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s
on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs
For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is), you’re
(you are), they’re (they are)
13
Use a possessive noun or pronoun
preceding a gerund:

my going to college

your coming to class

Carol’s leaving early

Betty’s being on time

your giving a report
14
Do NOT use an apostrophe

For possessive
pronouns:






its
whose
yours
theirs
ours
hers

For plurals:



the Joneses
dictionaries
bonuses
15
Let’s Practice!!!




As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples complaints
and requests.
 …PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS…
Mr. Davis grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952 Ford
at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue.
 MR. DAVIS’ or DAVIS’S GRANDMOTHER…GRANDSON’S
1952 FORD…
My three little girls favorite cartoon comes on very early Saturday
morning.
 …GIRLS’ FAVORITE…
A sale of childrens’ and mens’ Dingo boots doesn’t happen
regularly.
 …CHILDREN’S AND MEN’S…
16
Let’s Practice a Little More…





David’s and Kevin’s classroom is on the right at the end of the
hall.
 DAVID AND KEVIN’S…
Brent and Brian’s report cards were smudged and torn.
 BRENT’S AND BRIAN’S…
The three musketeer’s swords are fine, fast, and fancy.
 THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ SWORDS…
My sister-in-laws’ child-rearing practices leave much to be
desired.
 MY SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHILD-REARING…
My brother keeps his bachelors degree framed in his office.
 …BACHELOR’S DEGREE…
17
Almost There…





On my last report card, I received two As, one B,
and two Cs.
 …A’s…C’s.
There are too many maybes in his report.
 …MAYBE’S…
The hospital has four M.D.s on staff today.
 …M.D.’s…
Whose your favorite actor in Hollywood?
 WHO’S…
I am excited about you addressing the assembly.
 …YOUR ADDRESSING…
18
Last Ones!!!


Florida expects its’ students to speak and
write well.
 …ITS STUDENTS…
Ed drove the Harrises’ home from the
Joneses party.
 …HARRISES…JONESES’ PARTY.
19