Apostrophes

This section provides a guide to the correct uses of apostrophes. Apostrophes serve two main purposes in English: to indicate possession (ownership) and omission (when letters are left out of a word). Understanding how to use apostrophes correctly is important for clear and accurate writing.

Apostrophes to Show Possession

When something belongs to someone or something, we use an apostrophe + ‘s’ to indicate possession.

Examples:

• The teacher’s book was left on the desk.
  (The book belonging to the teacher was left on the desk.)
• The cat’s tail was twitching.
  (The tail belonging to the cat was twitching.)

Possession with Plural Nouns

When the noun is plural and ends in ‘s’, we place only an apostrophe at the end of the word (without adding an extra ‘s’). This helps to show that something belongs to more than one person or thing.

Examples:

• The girls’ shoes were scattered across the floor.
  (The shoes belonging to the girls were scattered.)
• The teachers’ lounge is being renovated.
  (The lounge belonging to the teachers is being renovated.)

Possession with Singular Nouns Ending in ‘s’

For singular nouns that already end in an ‘s’, both forms of possessive apostrophe are accepted in English: adding just an apostrophe or adding apostrophe + ‘s’. The key is to be consistent within your writing.

Examples:

• Charles’s book was on the table.
  (The book belonging to Charles was on the table.)
• Charles’ book was on the table.
  (This is another acceptable way of writing it.)

Similarly:

• The class’s project is on display.
  (The project belonging to the class is on display.)
• The class’ project is on display.
  (This is also correct.)

Apostrophes to Indicate Omission (Contractions)

Apostrophes are also used to show that letters have been omitted to form a contraction. Contractions are common in informal writing and speech.

Examples of contractions:

• Do not becomes don’t.
• Could not becomes couldn’t.
• Will not becomes won’t.
• Is not becomes isn’t.

Note that contractions can involve more than one letter being omitted, depending on the word.

Examples:

• They have becomes they’ve.
• I will becomes I’ll.
• She is becomes she’s.
• We are becomes we’re.

Its vs It’s

One common source of confusion involves the difference between its and it’s. Remember that its (without an apostrophe) shows possession, while it’s (with an apostrophe) is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.”

Its (possessive form):

• The dog wagged its tail happily.
  (The tail belonging to the dog was wagging.)
• The tree shed its leaves in the autumn.
  (The leaves belonging to the tree fell in autumn.)

It’s (contraction for "it is" or "it has"):

• It’s raining outside.
  (It is raining outside.)
• It’s been a long day.
  (It has been a long day.)

A good way to remember the difference: If you can replace "it’s" with "it is" or "it has" and the sentence still makes sense, you need an apostrophe. If it’s showing possession, then no apostrophe is needed.

Examples of Apostrophes in Different Contexts

Here are some further examples demonstrating both possession and omission:

Possession:

• The doctor’s advice was very helpful.
  (The advice belonging to the doctor was helpful.)
• The children’s laughter filled the room.
  (The laughter belonging to the children was heard.)

Omission:

• You are becomes you’re.
• We will becomes we’ll.
• They are becomes they’re.
• I would becomes I’d.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect Possessive Forms:

• Incorrect: The dogs’s bone was missing.
  Correct: The dog’s bone was missing.
  (Only add an apostrophe + ‘s’ for singular possessive forms.)
• Incorrect: The childrens’ toys were everywhere.
  Correct: The children’s toys were everywhere.
  (For irregular plurals like ‘children’, we use the apostrophe + ‘s’.)

Overuse of Apostrophes in Plural Nouns:

• Incorrect: The two cat’s were playing.
  Correct: The two cats were playing.
  (No apostrophe needed for regular plural forms.)

A Final Tip

A simple way to check if you are using apostrophes correctly is to ask whether the word shows possession or is a contraction. If it’s possession, check if the noun is singular or plural, and then place the apostrophe in the right position. If it's a contraction, ensure the apostrophe is replacing the missing letters.

By understanding the difference between possession and omission, you can use apostrophes effectively to make your writing clearer and more accurate.