Harriet Diamond - To Be Or Not To Be An Apostrophe

To Be Or Not To Be An Apostrophe

By Harriet Diamond

creator of harrietdiamond.net

Personal choice: Organizations may or may not choose to use an apostrophe in their names or products.

Starbucks McDonald’s

Shoppers Choice Taster’s Choice

Consumers Union Lowe’s

Follow the Rules:

ü The apostrophe primarily shows possession:

the child’s sweater; the company’s policy; the women’s movement

Plurals can get tricky:

Listen to the sound.

The Simpsons’ (cat) remains two syllables because that’s the sound; consequently, no additional s is added after the apostrophe. The Jones’s (cat) adds the second syllable when pronounced; therefore, an s follows the apostrophe.

Note the placement of the apostrophe with singular and plural words that end in y but change to ies when plural: the lady’s Kindle; the ladies’ book club.

Note that only the second noun of two has an apostrophe: Cindy and Alan’s home. If, however, you’re showing individual possession, use two apostrophes: Cindy’s and Alan’s opinions differ greatly.

Use the apostrophe for plurals of lower case letters:

Watch your p’s and q’s. Watch your Ps and Qs. The CEOs met.

Some number tips: 1’s, 2’s, 3’s but 1990s.

Ah, English!

The word its, which shows possession, does not have an apostrophe. The word it’s is a contraction; the apostrophe stands for the letter i in it is.

The word your, which shows possession, does not have an apostrophe. The

word you’re is a contraction; the apostrophe stands for the letter a in you are.

Grammar in Plain English Writing the Easy Way E-Z English Executive Writing American Style Perfect Phrases for Writing Company Announcements