Apostrophes are punctuation marks ( ‘ )
that generally work to make a word possessive or to indicate a contraction.
To indicate possession
Bob’s company
Sally’s bagels
the children’s playground
Tess’s Beauty Salon
the student’s book
Ross’s new car
To
show possession for a plural word that ends in -s just add an apostrophe after the -s. the students’ books
(multiple students) the movie stars’
autographs (multiple stars)
Note: The apostrophe only comes at the end of the word when the word
shows plural possession by ending in
-s (e.g. students’). When the word is singular and possessive, it is followed
by an extra -s. (Ross’s new car not Ross’ new car.) Some guides disagree on
the details of showing possesion using apostrophes. If writing for publication,
follow the house style guide.
To indicate a contraction
can’t
doesn’t
they’re
wouldn’t
we’re
it’s (it is)
To avoid confusion
Sometimes a writer will refer to a word
as a word in a text. To avoid
suggesting that such words are in plural form, an apostrophe can be used.
When proofreading the essay, I found
too many that’s and however’s.
When not to use an apostrophe
Do not use an apostrophe to
create a plural. Instead, add s or –es.
the 1960s
my pencils
ten DVDs
the
masses
kites
dishes
Do not add an apostrophe to verbs. Errors commonly
occur with “sees” and “says.” Incorrect: She see’s her faults.
Correct:
She sees her faults.
Incorrect:
He say’s he’s a nice guy.
Correct:
He says he’s a nice guy.
Do not add an apostrophe to possessive pronouns. These words already
indicate pos-session, so an apostrophe is not necessary.
yours hers its theirs ours
Note:
A very common error is to confuse its and it’s. It is tempting to think the one
with the
apostrophe indicates possession because, after all, that’s what apostrophes do.
But remember that its is already a possessive pronoun, and it’s is a contraction of “it is.”
Underline all the incorrect
punctuation and correct it.
1. Youre not the only one in the room.
2. My
boss’ new office has inflated his ego.
3. I love books from the 1800’s.
4. So, whatll you have for dinner?
5. You don’t have your friends phone number anymore.
6. The mass’s are all going shopping after Thanksgiving.
7.
Its hard
to believe that buckling your seatbelt would help much during a plane crash.
