Apostrophe

Using an Apostrophe

The apostrophe ( ’ ) has three uses: contractions, plurals, and possessives.

Contractions

Contractions (e.g., let’s, don’t, couldn’t, it’s, she’s) have a bad reputation. Many argue that they have no place at all in formal writing. You should, of course, observe your publisher’s or instructor’s requirements. An absolute avoidance of contractions, however, is likely to make your writing appear stilted and unwelcoming.

If you are unsure where to insert the apostrophe when forming a contraction, consult a good dictionary. Avoid the most common contraction–apostrophe error: the contraction of it is is it’s;without the apostrophe, its is the possessive form of it.

Example: It’s often said that every dog has its day.

In informal writing, it is acceptable to indicate a year with only the last two digits preceded by an apostrophe (e.g., the class of ’85, pop music from the ’80s).

Plurals

The apostrophe is seldom used to form a plural noun.

Incorrect:  Since the 1980’s, the Thomas’s, both of whom have multiple PhD’s, sell old book’s and magazine’s at the fair on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

Correct: Since the 1980s, the Thomases, both of whom have multiple PhDs, sell old books and magazines at the fair on Saturdays and Sundays.

The rare exception to the rule is when certain abbreviations, letters, or words are used as nouns, as in the following examples. Unless the apostrophe is needed to avoid misreading or confusion, omit it.

He received four A’s and two B’s.

We hired three M.D.’s and two D.O.’s.

Be sure to cross your t’s and dot your i’s.

Do we have more yes’s than no’s?

For this last example, the trend is to instead write yeses and noes.

Possessives

The formation of possessives is treated in different ways by different authorities. The rules below are based on The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, and are appropriate for most writing. Associated Press style, used by most newspapers, is slightly different. See the essay on style for more information.

The general rule for forming possessives

The general rule is that the possessive of a singular noun is formed by adding an apostrophe and s, whether the singular noun ends in s or not.

 the lawyer’s fee

 the child’s toy

 Xerox’s sales manager

 Tom Jones’s first album

 Jesus’s disciples

 Aeschylus’s finest drama

 anyone’s guess

 a week's vacation

The possessive of a plural noun is formed by adding only an apostrophe when the noun ends in s, and by adding both an apostrophe and s when it ends in a letter other than s.

 excessive lawyers’ fees

 children’s toys

 the twins’ parents

 the student teachers’ supervisor

 the Smiths’ vacation house

 the boys’ baseball team

 the alumni’s fundraising

 someone with twelve years’ experience

Exceptions to the general rule

Use only an apostrophe for places or names that are singular but have a final word in plural form and ending with an s.

 Beverly Hills’ current mayor

 the United States’ lingering debt problem

 Cisco Systems’ CEO

Nouns that end in an s sound take only an apostrophe when they are followed by sake.

 for goodness’ sake

 for conscience’ sake

A proper noun that is already in possessive form is left as is.

T.G.I. Friday’s menu was recently changed.

Shared or individual possessives

Joint possession is indicated by a single apostrophe.

 Robert Smith and Rebecca Green’s psychology textbook. (they coauthored the book)

 Stanley and Scarlett’s house. (they share the house)

Individual possession is indicated by apostrophes for each possessor.

 France’s and Italy’s domestic policies are diverging.

 Chris’s and John’s houses were designed by the same architect.

Avoid awkward possessives

Correct but awkward: St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s Fifth Avenue entrance.

Better: The Fifth Avenue entrance for St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The apostrophe with other punctuation

The apostrophe should never be separated from the word to which it attaches by adjacent punctuation.

Correct: The house on the left is the Smiths’, but the house at the end of the street is the Whites’.

Incorrect: The house on the left is the Smiths,’ but the house at the end of the street is the Whites.’

Bibliography

Apostrophe (2016). The Punctuation Guide. Retrieved from <http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/apostrophe.html>