Grammar Workshop

Table of Contents
 

 

 

 
Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used to show that a letter or letters have been left out. For example: 

 

"I am" contracts to "I'm"

"it is" contracts to "it's"
"do not" contracts to "don't."

Apostrophes are also used to show possession.

 

One dog has one bone: "the dog's bone"

One dog has two bones: "the dog's bones"

Two dogs have one bone: "the dogs' bone"

Two dogs have two bones: "the dogs' bones"

The rule is to put the needed apostrophe before the "s" when a word does not end in "s" already. But if the word does end in "s" or a "z" sound, simply add the apostrophe after the final letter.

Use an apostrophe to show the plural of a number or symbol.

 

Count by 10's.
I like the sound of r's.

The main problem with apostrophes is that people become confused by seeing them next to an "s" much of the time and decide that whenever a word ends in "s" it is a good idea to stick in an apostrophe, just in case...

Note that the possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes; they are possessive already. So, "its" is the possessive pronoun, while "it's" is the contracted form of "it is."

 

 

Last Update: 12/06/2006
Copyright by Diane Thompson, NVCC, ELI