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Apostrophes

Learn when and how to use apostrophes properly, including indicating possession, marking omissions in contractions, and pluralizing numbers, letters, and abbreviations. Avoid common misuse of apostrophes.

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Apostrophes

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  1. Apostrophes When to use ‘um

  2. Rule #1 • Use an apostrophe to indicate that a noun is possessive • Ex: Tim’s hat

  3. When to add ‘s • If the noun does not end in –s, add ‘s • Roy managed to climb out on the driver’s side. • If the noun is singular and ends in s, add ‘s • Lois’s sister spent last year in India.

  4. When to add only an apostrophe • If the noun is plural and ends in –s, add only an apostrophe • Both democrats’ briefcases were stolen.

  5. Joint possession • Use –’s with the last noun only! • Have you seen Joyce and Greg’s new computer?

  6. Compound Nouns • If a noun is compound, use –’s with the last element. • My father-in-law’s sculpture won first place.

  7. Rule #2 • Use an apostrophe and –s to indicate that an indefinite pronoun is possessive **Indef. pronouns refer to no specific person or thing: everyone, someone, no one, something. Ex: Someone’s raincoat has been left behind.

  8. Rule #3 • Use an apostrophe to mark omissions in contractions and numbers. • In contractions the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters. • it’s = it is • can’t = can not

  9. Rule #4 • An apostrophe is often optional in plural numbers, letters, abbreviations, and words mentioned as words.

  10. Plural numbers and abbreviations • To pluralize a number or an abbreviation, you may add –s or –’s • Peggy skated nearly perfect figure 8s [or 8’s]. • We collected only four IOUs [or IOU’s] out of forty.

  11. Plural Letters • Italicize the letter and use Roman type for the –s ending. The use of the apostrophe is optional. • Two large Js [or J’s] were painted on the door.

  12. Plurals of words mentioned as words • Italicize the word and use Roman type for the –s ending. Use of apostrophe is optional. • We’ve heard enough maybes [or maybe’s].

  13. Common Misuse of Apostrophes • With nouns that are not possessive • The Jacobson’s are nice. • The Jacobsons are nice. • In the possessive pronouns its, whose, his, hers, ours, yours, and theirs • It’s means “it is.” The possessive its contains no apostrophe. • Who’s means “who is.” The possessive pronoun is whose.

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