Apostrophes Simplified
Uses of the Apostrophe
1. To show possession.
2. To show that a letter is missing.
3. To show, in some cases, that a
word is plural.
1. SHOWING POSSESSION
Showing Possession
When it is clear that a word is
possessive, then an apostrophe is
required, as in the following sentences:
This is Maria’s room.
David went to a boys’ school.
The women’s department is on the
second floor.
Showing Possession
The placement of the apostrophe is cause for much confusion.
However, the principle is simple. Let us use the phrase “The boys
room” as an example.
Clearly, the room belongs to either one boy, or to two boys. Since
there are no context clues, it is impossible to know precisely which.
An apostrophe will clarify the meaning.
If the room belongs to one boy, then the apostrophe goes after the
singular word boy.
If the room is shared by two or more boys, the apostrophe goes after
the plural word boys.
The boy’s room.
The boys’ room.
-
Belongs to just one boy.
Belongs to at least two boys.
As you can see, it is now clear how many boys own the room.
Showing Possession
The general principle is this:
Words that take an apostrophe do so
after the singular or after the plural
form of the word, as the case may be.
Brief Review:
’ hat.
I stole the boys
I went to a boys’ school.
’ hearts.
He stole the childrens
The One Ziz Rule
Plural words that end in an “s” or a “z”
sound will drop the additional “s” in certain
circumstances. I call this “the one ziz
rule.” A word that ends “ziz-ziz” just
sounds stupid.
Jesus’ sandals,
Moses’ loin cloth
St. James’s Palace
NOT Jesus’s sandals.
NOT Moses’s loin cloth.
NOT St. James’ Palace.
Quick Quiz
1.
2.
The childrens department is upstairs.
My daughter attended a girls conference in New
York.
3. The [one] dogs kennel is outside.
4. The Students Union is on the east side of campus.
5. My uncle is recuperating at the Veterans Hospital
in Indianapolis.
6. Have you noticed Jennifers acne?
7. My grandmother attended the Worlds Fair in 1932.
8. The teams winning streak was short-lived.
9. My mother attends the Peoples Church.
10. The [two] girls room is at the end of the hall.
Quick Quiz—Answer Key
1.
2.
The children’s department is upstairs.
My daughter attended a girls’ conference in New
York.
3. The [one] dog’s kennel is outside.
4. The Students’ Union is on the east side of
campus.
5. My uncle is recuperating at the Veterans’ Hospital
in Indianapolis.
6. Have you noticed Jennifer’s acne?
7. My grandmother attended the World’s Fair in
1932.
8. The team’s winning streak was short-lived.
9. My mother attends the People’s Church.
10. The [two] girls’ room is at the end of the hall.
2. Showing Missing Letters
Showing Missing Letters
An apostrophe indicates that letters are
missing from a contraction, as follows:
it’s
didn’t
could’ve
won’t
can’t
e’en
-
it is
did not
could have
will not
cannot
even
-
and so on.
“i” is missing from is
“o” is missing from not
“ha” is missing
God only knows
“no” is missing
“v” is missing
3. Showing Plurals
Showing Plurals
Apostrophes also show that words (usually
numbers of one sort or another) are plural,
although this usage is falling out of fashion.
It is still seen from time to time but is now
considered unnecessary and in MLA Format
should be omitted.
During the 1960’s, I lived in Ontario.
Uses of the Apostrophe
You now know all you need to about the uses of the
apostrophe.
Remember, it shows (a) possession, (b) omission in
contractions, and (c) certain types of plural.
The following rule of thumb is a good one
where the apostrophe is concerned:
“If in doubt, leave it out.”
Painting by David Shevlino
PowerPoint Presentation by Mark A. Spalding, BA, MEd, MA
The End