Mastering Apostrophes: A Comprehensive Guide to Correct Usage

The apostrophe (’) is a punctuation mark that often causes confusion, even for experienced writers. While it might seem like a small mark, using it incorrectly can significantly impact the clarity and professionalism of your writing. This comprehensive guide will break down the rules of apostrophe usage, providing clear explanations, examples, and practical tips to help you master this essential punctuation mark.

Understanding the Basics: What is an Apostrophe?

An apostrophe is used for two main purposes:

1. To indicate possession. This shows that something belongs to someone or something else.
2. To indicate a contraction. This combines two words into one, omitting one or more letters.

It’s crucial to differentiate between these two uses to avoid common errors like confusing “its” and “it’s.”

Possessive Apostrophes: Showing Ownership

The most common use of the apostrophe is to show possession. Here’s how to use it correctly in different situations:

1. Singular Nouns

To show possession with a singular noun, add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s).

Examples:

• The dog’s bone. (The bone belongs to the dog.)
• The student’s essay. (The essay belongs to the student.)
• Mary’s car. (The car belongs to Mary.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the noun that possesses something.
2. If the noun is singular, add ‘s to the end.
3. Ensure the apostrophe is placed correctly *before* the “s.”

2. Plural Nouns Ending in “s”

For plural nouns that already end in “s,” add only an apostrophe (‘) after the “s.”

Examples:

• The students’ books. (The books belong to the students.)
• The Joneses’ house. (The house belongs to the Jones family.)
• The birds’ nests. (The nests belong to the birds.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the plural noun that possesses something.
2. Check if the noun already ends in “s.”
3. If it does, add an apostrophe after the “s.”

3. Plural Nouns Not Ending in “s”

For plural nouns that do *not* end in “s,” add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s), just like singular nouns.

Examples:

• The children’s toys. (The toys belong to the children.)
• The men’s restroom. (The restroom is for men.)
• The people’s choice. (The choice belongs to the people.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the plural noun that possesses something.
2. Check if the noun ends in “s.”
3. If it doesn’t, add ‘s to the end.

4. Compound Nouns

For compound nouns (nouns made up of two or more words), add the apostrophe and “s” to the *last* word.

Examples:

• My mother-in-law’s car. (The car belongs to my mother-in-law.)
• The attorney general’s opinion. (The opinion belongs to the attorney general.)
• The commander-in-chief’s orders. (The orders belong to the commander-in-chief.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the compound noun that possesses something.
2. Add ‘s to the *last* word of the compound noun.

5. Joint Possession vs. Individual Possession

This is a tricky one! When two or more people jointly possess something, add the apostrophe and “s” only to the *last* name.

Example (Joint Possession):

• John and Mary’s house. (John and Mary share the same house.)

When two or more people possess something individually, add the apostrophe and “s” to *each* name.

Example (Individual Possession):

• John’s and Mary’s cars. (John has his own car, and Mary has her own car.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Determine if the possession is joint or individual.
2. If joint, add ‘s to the last name only.
3. If individual, add ‘s to each name.

6. Possessive Pronouns: No Apostrophe Needed!

Possessive pronouns like his, hers, its, ours, yours, and theirs do *not* use apostrophes. They already indicate possession.

Correct Examples:

• The book is his.
• The decision is ours.
• The cat licked its paws.

Incorrect Examples:

• The book is his’. (Incorrect)
• The decision is ours’. (Incorrect)
• The cat licked it’s paws. (Incorrect – This is a contraction, not a possessive)

Contractions: Combining Words

An apostrophe is also used to create contractions, which combine two words into one by omitting one or more letters. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters.

Common Contractions:

• is not = isn’t
• are not = aren’t
• was not = wasn’t
• were not = weren’t
• have not = haven’t
• has not = hasn’t
• had not = hadn’t
• do not = don’t
• does not = doesn’t
• did not = didn’t
• I am = I’m
• you are = you’re
• he is = he’s
• she is = she’s
• it is = it’s
• we are = we’re
• they are = they’re
• I will = I’ll
• you will = you’ll
• he will = he’ll
• she will = she’ll
• it will = it’ll
• we will = we’ll
• they will = they’ll
• I would = I’d
• you would = you’d
• he would = he’d
• she would = she’d
• it would = it’d
• we would = we’d
• they would = they’d
• cannot = can’t
• will not = won’t
• would not = wouldn’t
• should not = shouldn’t
• could not = couldn’t

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the two words you want to combine.
2. Determine which letters will be omitted.
3. Place the apostrophe where the letters were removed.

Common Apostrophe Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Apostrophes are frequently misused, leading to errors that can detract from your writing. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Confusing “its” and “it’s”

This is arguably the most common apostrophe mistake. Remember:

• its (no apostrophe): Possessive pronoun meaning “belonging to it.”
• it’s (with apostrophe): Contraction of “it is” or “it has.”

Examples:

• The dog wagged its tail. (Possessive)
• It’s raining outside. (Contraction of “it is”)
• It’s been a long day. (Contraction of “it has”)

How to Avoid the Mistake:

If you’re unsure whether to use “its” or “it’s,” try substituting “it is” or “it has” in the sentence. If it makes sense, use “it’s.” If it doesn’t, use “its.”

2. Using Apostrophes with Plural Nouns

Apostrophes are generally *not* used to form simple plurals. Only use an apostrophe with a plural noun to show possession.

Correct Examples:

• I bought three books. (Plural, no apostrophe)
• The dogs’ bowls are empty. (Plural possessive)

Incorrect Examples:

• I bought three book’s. (Incorrect – apostrophe used for a simple plural)

Exception: Apostrophes *are* used to form the plurals of letters, numbers, and symbols when clarity demands it. This is less common now; rephrasing is often preferred.

Example:

• Mind your p’s and q’s. (Clearer with apostrophes)

It is often better to write “Mind your ps and qs” or even “Mind your p’s and q’s.” Rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether is also an option, e.g., “Pay attention to detail.”

3. Misplacing the Apostrophe in Possessive Nouns

Ensure the apostrophe is in the correct position to indicate whether the noun is singular or plural. As a reminder:

• Singular possessive: student’s
• Plural possessive: students’

Example:

• The student’s desk was messy. (One student)
• The students’ desks were messy. (Multiple students)

4. Unnecessary Apostrophes in Dates

Avoid using apostrophes when referring to decades or years unless you’re indicating possession or a contraction.

Correct Examples:

• The 1990s were a time of great change. (Decade, no apostrophe)
• The class of ’95 celebrated their reunion. (Contraction of 1995)

Incorrect Examples:

• The 1990’s were a time of great change. (Incorrect – apostrophe not needed for a decade)

5. Using Apostrophes with Verbs

Don’t use apostrophes with verbs unless you’re forming a contraction.

Correct Examples:

• He doesn’t like coffee. (Contraction of “does not”)
• She is reading a book. (No apostrophe)

Incorrect Examples:

• He doesn’t like’s coffee. (Incorrect – apostrophe misused with a verb)

Advanced Apostrophe Usage

While the basic rules cover most situations, there are a few nuances to consider:

1. Proper Nouns Ending in “s”

There are two accepted styles for forming the possessive of proper nouns that end in “s” (like names):

• Add only an apostrophe: James’ car.
• Add an apostrophe and an “s”: James’s car.

The choice often depends on personal preference or the style guide you’re following. Consistency is key.

The same applies to classical, biblical or historical names, especially when the extra “s” would be difficult to pronounce. For example: “Jesus’ teachings,” “Archimedes’ principle,” or “Moses’ law”.

2. Omitted Letters and Numbers

Use an apostrophe to indicate omitted letters or numbers, especially in informal writing.

Examples:

• He was born in the ’80s. (Omitted “19”)
• Rock ‘n’ roll. (Omitted “and”)

3. Quoted Speech

When a quoted word or phrase requires an apostrophe, ensure it’s placed correctly within the quotation marks.

Examples:

• She said, “It’s time to go.”
• He asked, “What‘s happening?”

Tips for Mastering Apostrophes

• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the words and their context to determine whether an apostrophe is needed.
• Proofread: Always proofread your writing to catch any apostrophe errors.
• Use a Style Guide: If you’re writing professionally, follow a style guide like the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook.
• Practice: The more you practice using apostrophes, the more comfortable you’ll become with the rules.
• When in Doubt, Look it Up: There are many online resources and grammar guides available to help you with apostrophe usage.
• Consider Rewording: If you’re struggling to determine whether to use an apostrophe, consider rewording the sentence to avoid the need for one altogether. For example, instead of “the dog’s bone,” you could write “the bone of the dog.”

Tools and Resources

Several online tools can help you check your apostrophe usage:

• Grammarly: A popular grammar checker that identifies apostrophe errors.
• ProWritingAid: Another comprehensive writing tool that includes grammar and style checks.
• Online Grammar Guides: Websites like Purdue OWL and Grammar Girl offer detailed explanations and examples of apostrophe usage.

Conclusion

Mastering apostrophes is essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding the rules of possession and contraction, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can confidently use apostrophes in your writing. Remember to proofread carefully and consult a style guide when needed. With a little effort, you can conquer the apostrophe and elevate the quality of your writing.

The correct use of apostrophes contributes significantly to the credibility and clarity of your work. By paying attention to these rules and guidelines, you demonstrate attention to detail and respect for the language. Make use of the resources mentioned, and continue practicing; your writing will undoubtedly benefit from it.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Determine whether each sentence uses apostrophes correctly or incorrectly, and explain why.

1. The childrens’ toys were scattered everywhere.
2. Its a beautiful day outside.
3. The Smiths’ house is on the corner.
4. Whose car is that?
5. The 1980’s were a decade of excess.
6. I dont know where he is.
7. The cats tail twitched.
8. That book is hers.
9. My mothers-in-laws birthday is next week.
10. The boys’ bathroom is being renovated.

Answers to Practice Exercises

1. Incorrect. The plural noun ‘children’ does not end in ‘s’, so it should be ‘children’s’. Correct: The children’s toys were scattered everywhere.
2. Incorrect. “Its” should be “It’s” because this is a contraction of “It is”. Correct: It’s a beautiful day outside.
3. Correct. The possessive plural form of the surname Smith is ‘Smiths”, which is then followed by an apostrophe, indicating that their house is on the corner.
4. Correct. “Whose” is the possessive form of “who” and does not require an apostrophe to show possession.
5. Incorrect. Decades should not be punctuated with apostrophes. Correct: The 1980s were a decade of excess.
6. Incorrect. This is a contraction of “I do not”. Correct: I don’t know where he is.
7. Correct. The sentence utilizes ‘cats’ as possessive form of the word ‘cat’.
8. Correct. The word hers is a possessive pronoun and does not require an apostrophe.
9. Correct. For compound nouns, the apostrophe should be added to the very last word.
10. Correct. This sentence uses ‘boys’ ‘ as plural possessive.