{"id":10244,"date":"2015-08-31T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-crowdcontent.com\/?p=10244"},"modified":"2021-04-28T08:27:09","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T15:27:09","slug":"apostrophes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdcontent.com\/resources\/writer\/university\/punctuation\/apostrophes\/","title":{"rendered":"Apostrophes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apostrophes<\/h2>\n

Apostrophes are frequently misused, but the rules about them aren\u2019t complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Possession<\/h3>\n

If you have a <\/span>singular noun that doesn\u2019t end in -s<\/b>, add an apostrophe + s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>dog\u2019s<\/span><\/span> dinner smells strange.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s<\/span><\/span> bouquet includes orchids.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a <\/span>singular noun that ends in in -s<\/b>, you can either add an apostrophe + s, or just add an apostrophe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chris\u2019s<\/span><\/span> treasure chest is hidden on this island.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chris\u2019<\/span><\/span> treasure chest is hidden on this island.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a <\/span>plural noun that doesn\u2019t end in -s<\/b>, add an \u00a0apostrophe + s<\/span><\/p>\n

After much questioning, we discovered the <\/span>children\u2019s<\/span><\/span> mischief.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>mice\u2019s<\/span><\/span> squeaks terrified me.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a <\/span>plural noun that ends in -s<\/b>, only add an apostrophe after the -s.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Saturdays, I go to the <\/span>farmers\u2019<\/span><\/span> market.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>musicians\u2019<\/span><\/span> performances have all been fabulous.<\/span><\/p>\n

Omission<\/h3>\n

When letters are left out of a word or digits are left out of a number, that omission is indicated by an apostrophe. Here are some common contractions:<\/span><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t (Cann<\/span>o<\/span>t)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Could\u2019ve (Could <\/span>ha<\/span>ve)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t (Do n<\/span>o<\/span>t)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re (We <\/span>a<\/span>re)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201860s (1960s)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The commonly confused contractions it\u2019s, they\u2019re, and you\u2019re are covered in <\/span>this lesson<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Pluralization<\/h3>\n

Before you go any farther, I want to make something clear: using apostrophes to pluralize is the exception, not the rule. <\/span>The only times you can use an apostrophe when pluralizing are with letters and numbers<\/b> (and even in these cases, you don\u2019t have to use an apostrophe). <\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s not a letter or number, just add -s. All of the following examples are correct:<\/span><\/p>\n

You didn\u2019t cross your t\u2019s.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

You didn\u2019t cross your \u201ct\u201ds.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

My sister-in-law has two PhD\u2019s.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

My sister-in-law has two PhDs.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Natalie is the only person I know who loves 80\u2019s fashion.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Natalie is the only person I know who loves \u201880s fashion.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Learn More:<\/span><\/p>\n