The Apostrophe

The apostrophe has two main uses:

1) to form possessives of nouns
2) to show the omission (removal) of letters

1)  Forming possessives of nouns

the boy's hat = the hat of the boy

 

• add 's to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in -s):

the owner's car

James's hat

• add 's to the plural forms that do not end in -s:

the children's game

• add ' to the end of plural nouns that end in -s:

houses' roofs

• add 's to the end of compound words:

my brother-in-law's money

 • add 's to the last noun to show joint possession of an object:

Todd and Anne's apartment

2) Showing omission (removal) of letters

Apostrophes are used in contractions (short forms). The apostrophe shows this omission. Contractions are common in speaking and in informal writing. Examples:  did not = didn’t; should not = shouldn’t.

Don't use apostrophes for possessive pronouns or for noun plurals.

wrong: his' book                                                                        correct: his book 

wrong: The group made it's decision.                                       correct: The group made its decision.

wrong: a friend of yours'                                                          correct: a friend of yours

wrong: She waited for three hours' to get her ticket.        correct: She waited for three hours to get her ticket.

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