Apostrophes
Introduction
Navigating the intricacies of English grammar can be daunting, particularly when it comes to using apostrophes. Often small and seemingly insignificant, these punctuation marks play a crucial role in clarifying meaning and ensuring your writing is both accurate and professional. Whether you’re a student trying to improve your academic writing or a professional aiming to polish business communications, understanding how to use apostrophes correctly can greatly enhance your communication skills. Even for casual writers who want to avoid common mistakes in social media posts and emails, mastering apostrophes is essential. Let’s delve into the fundamental rules and applications of apostrophes to help you master this essential aspect of grammar.
Forming Possessives
A noun or pronoun is “possessive” when it shows ownership or possession. An apostrophe signals that a word is possessive. In general, you can add an apostrophe and an s to singular nouns to make them possessive.
EXAMPLES
- Kelly’s microscope is focused now. [That the microscope belongs to Kelly is shown by an ’s added to Kelly.]
- A zebra’s stripes make it unique. [That the stripes belong to the zebra is shown by an ’s added to zebra.]
A plural noun that ends in an s needs only the apostrophe to make the noun possessive. A plural noun that does not end in s needs both the apostrophe and an s.
EXAMPLES
- the Sims’ home [Sims is a plural noun ending in s. An apostrophe alone makes the word possessive.]
- the men’s team [Men is a plural noun that does not end in s. An apostrophe and an s make the word possessive.]
Possessive personal pronouns do not need an apostrophe or an s.
EXAMPLES
- I bought my ticket. [My is the possessive form of the pronoun I.]
- David parked his bicycle. [His is the possessive form of the pronoun he.]
- The stamp lost its stickiness. [Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it.]
- Snakes shed their skin. [Their is the possessive form of the pronoun they.]
Indefinite pronouns need both an apostrophe and an s to make them possessive.
EXAMPLES
- Is this anybody’s map?
- I think I have someone’s jacket.
Contractions
2. Use an apostrophe to show where letters, numerals, or words have been omitted in a contraction.
A contraction is a shortened form of a word or a number. When you want to shorten a long word, a group of words, or a number, use an apostrophe to show where a letter, word, or number has been left out.
EXAMPLES
- we’d (we would)
- it’s (it is)
- ’96 (1996)
- o’clock (of the clock)
- won’t (will not)
- shouldn’t (should not)
TIP
Do not confuse contractions with possessive pronouns. Most possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
CONTRACTIONS
- It’s an ad for a summer job. [It’s is the contraction of It is.]
- You’re looking for a job? [You’re is the contraction of You are.]
POSSESSIVES
- Its pay is really high. [Its is a possessive pronoun.]
- Your job application is finished? [Your is a possessive pronoun.]
<->
Plurals
3. Use an apostrophe and an s to form plurals of all lowercase letters, of some capital letters, of numerals, of symbols, and of words referred to as words.
EXAMPLES
- The word Massachusetts has four s’s in it. [To show more than one s, an ’s is added after the s.]
- Write *’s on the items you’re putting in the garage sale. [To show more than one * symbol, the writer put an ’s after the *.]
- The phone number has three 9’s in it. [More than one nine is shown by adding ’s to the numeral 9.]
- The vote was decided by two no’s. [More than one no is shown by adding an ’s to no.]
NOTE
To form the plural of abbreviations that end with a period, add an apostrophe and an s. To form the plurals of abbreviations that do not end with periods, add either an ’s or just an s.
EXAMPLES
- Dr.’s
- Ph.D.’s
- RPM’s
- SASEs
Apostrophes Quiz
$$
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the three main rules for using apostrophes?
- Possession: Use an apostrophe to show ownership.
Singular nouns: Add 's (e.g., "the dog's bone").
Plural nouns ending in s: Add just the apostrophe (e.g., "the dogs' park").
Plural nouns not ending in s: Add 's (e.g., "the children's toys"). - Contractions: Use an apostrophe to indicate omitted letters.
Examples: "do not" becomes "don't," "you are" becomes "you're," "it is" becomes "it's." - Plurals of Letters, Numbers, and Symbols: Use an apostrophe to form plurals of single letters, numbers, or symbols.
Examples: "Mind your p's and q's," "There are two 7's in my phone number," "Make sure to dot your i's."
Q: Can you provide five examples of apostrophes in use?
- The cat's toy (possession).
- It's a beautiful day (contraction).
- She can't come to the party (contraction).
- The teachers' lounge (possession, plural noun ending in s).
- Remember to cross your t's (plural of a single letter).
Q: What is the correct way to write an apostrophe?
An apostrophe is a small punctuation mark that looks like a tiny, elevated comma (’). It should be placed where letters are omitted in contractions or immediately after the noun to indicate possession. For example:
- Contraction: "do not" becomes "don't."
- Possession: "the dog's toy."
Q: What are the two types of apostrophes?
- Typewriter Apostrophe ('): This is the straight apostrophe commonly found on keyboards and used in informal writing. It is also known as the "dumb" apostrophe.
Example: It's a nice day. - Typographic Apostrophe (’): This is the curly or smart apostrophe used in typeset text and formal writing. It is considered more typographically correct.
Example: It’s a nice day.
Conclusion
Apostrophes might be tiny, but their impact on writing is substantial. From showing ownership to forming contractions and pluralizing terms, mastering their use is essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding the rules and common pitfalls associated with apostrophes, you can avoid misunderstandings and elevate the quality of your writing. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who simply enjoys writing, keeping these guidelines in mind will help you communicate more effectively. Keep practicing, and soon these small but mighty punctuation marks will become second nature in your writing toolkit.