SCUA
The Society for the Correct Use of the Apostrophe
MOTTO
It’s seldom we see its proper use.
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
UWF Writing Lab
Rules of Thumb for
Possessives/Apostrophes
from
Real Good Grammar, Too
by Mamie Webb Hixon
10
First Rule of Thumb


DO NOT use an apostrophe to make a noun plural
INCORRECT
CORRECT
modem’s
modems
cell phone’s
cell phones
computer’s
computers
Venetian blind’s
Venetian blinds
the cleaner’s
the cleaners
used textbook’s
used textbooks
mortgage’s
mortgages
policies’
policies
notebook’s
notebooks
test result’s
test results
11
Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.
12
Use only an –s or –es to form the plural of a
proper noun.








The Simpsons
Keeping up with the Joneses
the Kennedys
the Harrises
Several Johnsons, Smiths, and Lopezes in the
city directory
Two Gladyses in my lit class
the two Justins
Six Grammys, five Oscars, and two Tonys
13
Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.
14
Familiar apostrophe usage

Rosemary’s Baby
Charlie Wilson’s War
Hell’s Kitchen
Big Mama’s House
Grey’s Anatomy
A Knight’s Tale
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Murphy’s Law






15
Second Rule of Thumb:
The apostrophe has three common uses.

In Contractions
Y’all (NOT Ya’ll) FOR You all

doesn’t FOR does not
School’s out! FOR School is out!

For Omissions
‘08 and ‘09
‘til the end of time

For Possessives
Charlie’s Angels
Charles’s hamster
16
What is a possessive?

A possessive is a word that uses an
apostrophe to show ownership.






The two boys’ bikes
The turtle’s shell
My mother’s recipe
Tess’s scarf
California’s governor
My parents’ permission
17
What do possessives look like?

Possessives almost always have an
apostrophe. This apostrophe usually
replaces the prepositions of, by, with, or for.
18
Third Rule of Thumb
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)
19
What do possessives look like?



Sometimes an apostrophe is not used (e.g.
possessive pronouns and plurals that do not
show ownership).
theirs, NOT their’s
several countries, NOT several country’s
20
Business Apostrophes
21
Business Apostrophes
22
Business Apostrophes
23
Business Apostrophes
24
Business Apostrophes
25
Business Apostrophes
26
Do NOT use an apostrophe

For possessive
pronouns:
 its
 whose
 yours
 theirs
 ours
 hers

For plurals:
 The Simpsons
 the Joneses
 The Kennedys
 dictionaries
 bonuses
 Two Hillarys in my
class
27
How does someone make a
noun possessive?


Some possessives require an apostrophe and
an -s.
- Singular nouns: the mayor’s views (Exceptions
include ancient proper names ending in –es and
such expressions as for conscience’ sake.)
- Plural nouns that do not end in –s: children’s
hospital
Some possessives require only an apostrophe.
- Plural nouns that end in –s: the Joneses’ van
28
Use the apostrophe and –s 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 not ending in –s: the people’s
court, women’s rights
For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s (optional)
For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s
on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs (optional)
29
Use the apostrophe and –s 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
30
JOINT OWNERSHIP

The Diva and the Diplomat:
Aretha and Condi’s Duet
31
Use the apostrophe and –s 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 contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is),
you’re (you are), they’re (they are)
 Notice that these are not possessives.
32
Use only an apostrophe in these
instances:


For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van,
my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all
instructors’ grades, the Beatles’ first hit, my two
cents’ worth, the pundits’ opinions versus the
experts’ opinions
To form the possessive of some singular nouns
ending in –s: Jesus’ teachings, Sophocles’
plays, Keats’ poems OR Keats’s poems
33
What else should someone know
about possessives?

When forming compound words and words that
show joint possession, only the last word is
made possessive (unless the second word is a
possessive pronoun).



Mary Ann and Rebekah’s birthday party
Greg’s and my idea
A possessive noun or pronoun should be used
when preceding a gerund.

I am tired of your making excuses.
34
Examples of a possessive noun or
pronoun preceding a gerund:

my going to college

your coming to class

David’s leaving early

Philip’s being on time

your giving a report
35
Use the possessive case for some inanimate
objects.






today’s paper
the university’s commencement speaker
your paper’s topic
her hair’s texture
the novel’s theme
the church’s mission statement
36
Omit the possessive in these instances:










computer monitor
sports page
civil rights movement
state government
special news report
a student rally and protest
humanities scholar
a Florida Gator
beach resorts
the Peter Principle
37
Omit the possessive in these instances:










animal shelter
insurance coverage
the O.J. Simpson trial
White House correspondent
senior citizen discount
UWF Honors Program
Arts and Sciences Council
the Bush administration
family reunion
new jobs report
38
Incorrect Possessive Omissions






Driving my momma car
Joyce brother graduation
Dr. Yeager class
Professor Smith class
My husbands job
My parents consent
39
Let’s Practice!!!
-Notice the way the following possessives should be punctuated.




As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples
complaints and requests.
 …PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS…
Mr. Hill’s grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952
Ford at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue.
 …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…
40
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…
41
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… (Note that this is not a possessive).
I am excited about you addressing the assembly.
 …YOUR ADDRESSING…
42
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.
43