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Enjoy your reading and start using those apostrophes correctly.
The Apostrophe (') - You know what it look's like and you know that you need it, but the way's in which we should use it are'nt always so clear cut. Read this article about the do's and the donts' of using the apostrophe and peoples' common mistakes' that may arise. By the way, did you manage to count the number of apostrophe errors in this paragraph'?
(Answer: 7 errors)
The apostrophe is an important punctuation mark in English that actually has three different uses, a fact which contributes to the many errors English writers often make using it. In English, it is used rather widely and you cannot avoid using it but you should not just stick in anywhere you want, as misuse of its basic uses may lead to perceiving your writing as weak, uneducated or even childish.
The 3 uses of the apostrophe are:
1. Indicating omissions in contracted words
aren't
2. Indicating possessives
Ben's dog
3. Indicating plurals
the do's and don'ts
Right or wrong ?
The Apostrophes uses ar'ent always clear-cut.
Wrong ! In the above example sentence the words (are not) should be joined together (contracted) into (aren't), as the letter o in not is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe which "glues" are and not together.
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating omissions below.
If you are ready to read about other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
I'm a writer, I'm not a doctor. (I am)
He's the best writer here but he doesn't talk a lot. (He is, does not)
She isn't the writer of this book (is not)
You're going to write an essay today. (You are)
They're writing short stories this semester. (They are)
We've had a few problems using apostrophes. (We have)
I'll start writing this paper tomorrow. (I will)
Who's the writer of this wonderful story? (Who is)
Let's finish reviewing apostrophe usage. (Let us)
*Watch out !
1. am does not contract with not ( amn't is wrong!)
2. Do not confuse the following contractions with similar words:
- it's (contraction for it is, it has) with its (possessive determiner/pronoun, meaning belonging to it).
- they're (contraction for they are) with their (possessive determiner) and there (place).
- who's (contraction for who is) with whose (question word about possession).
- you're (contraction for you are) with your (possessive determiner).
It's a great piece of writing. Its style is very clear.
Who's the writer whose books are now best sellers.
3. The contraction o'clock is required for writing (replacing the archaic expression of the clock).
4. Use contractions less in formal writing contexts, such as serious argumentative essays, formal letters of complaint, business writing or academic journals. This is because such contexts require the full standard language style.
5. Use contractions with apostrophes more in informal writing contexts which simulate spoken language, such as letters to friends and postcards, or when writing dialogs. Since these contractions derive from users connecting words spoken at a fast pace, they are more common in these contexts, where they are accepted, as without them the writing may seem unnatural or even condescending.
6. Nevertheless, you should not overuse apostrophes even informally and write:
-You shouldn't've said that.
double apostrophe for (You should not have said that)
-I'd let you do it.
ambiguous usage (I'd) may be (I would) or (I had)
Right or wrong ?
The childrens ball fell into the two neighbor's yard.
Wrong ! In the above example sentence "childrens" should be written with an apostrophe (children's), stating "of the children", meaning that the ball belongs to the children. In addition, as there are two neighbors as owners of the yard, (neighbor's) should express possession as (neighbors').
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating possessives below.
If you are ready to read about other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
1. Add 's to singular nouns to show they are the "owners."
The author's books appeared in Mr. Smith's review article.
Note: If the singular owner already ends with s, you can either add 's or only an apostrophe. At WhiteSmoke, we prefer the first option but if you chose otherwise, you must be consistent with the option you choose
Mr. Williams's dog ate Chris's writing assignment. Or
Mr Williams' dog ate Chris' writing assignment.
2. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns to show they are the "owners."
The Williams' dog ate all the students' writing assignment.
Note: If the plural nouns does not end in s, add 's to show they are the owners.
The Children's dog ate the people's shoes.
3. Add 's to the last word in compound words and phrases:
The basketball player's performance was incredible.
His father-in-law's business is very successful.
4. Add 's to each "owner" to show that each of them owns a "property" separately.
Dan's and Sharon's writing assignments are the best in the class.
(two different assignments written by two different people)
5. Add 's to the last "owner" in a group to show that the group owns a "property" jointly.
Dan and Sharon's writing assignment is the best in class.
(one assignment written by two people together).
*Watch Out!
1. The Apostrophe does not create possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, its, hers, ours, theirs).
We need two cars. Let's take ours and hers.
2. You may prefer using the preposition "of" instead of the apostrophe to show possession when the owner is described using a long phrase.
The new German writing instructor's books are best seller. or
The Books of the new German writing instructor are best sellers.
Right or wrong ?
The student's had a variety of grades but the most were 70s or 90s.
Right and Wrong ! In the above example sentence the plural word (student's) does not require an apostrophe as plurals normally do not take an apostrophe. The plurals of numbers, however, can be written with an apostrophe or without.
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating plurals below.
If you would like to return to other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
1. Plural of letters meant as letters, both in upper case and in lower case.
Mississippi has lots of S's in it. (option: underline the letter)
Mississippi has lots of s's in it.
2. Plural of numbers to avoid ambiguity.
The binary system uses 0's and 1's. (otherwise could look like Os and Is).
3. In the following cases, do not use an apostrophe, unless you believe the reader may not find your writing clear:
-Plurals of letters meant as words
The students got all Cs in their writing assignments.
(C is here a word for grade level)
-Plurals of words meant as words
No ifs or buts ! (no apostrophes)
The do's and the don'ts of apostrophe usage. (without apostrophes may seem unclear)
-Plural of numbers
This airliner only uses 747s.
-Plural of years
Berlin had a lively atmosphere during the 1920s.
-Plurals of symbols
What do all these @s mean ?
Go to the English Lessons Portal for more English Lessons
Use of the Apostrophe in English Punctuation (')
Get a Trophy for Using Apostrophes Correctly
Congratulations ! You have reached the right place to know more about the use of the apostrophe in English writing. This article will look at the basic ways in which you can use the apostrophe as a punctuation mark in your writing. For accurate proofreading of apostrophe use and other punctuation or grammar rules, the artificial intelligence of the WhiteSmoke online writing and proofreading software will give you perfect results every time. Even the best writers use an English editor to make their work shine.Enjoy your reading and start using those apostrophes correctly.
Getting into the Apostrophe
The Apostrophe (') - You know what it look's like and you know that you need it, but the way's in which we should use it are'nt always so clear cut. Read this article about the do's and the donts' of using the apostrophe and peoples' common mistakes' that may arise. By the way, did you manage to count the number of apostrophe errors in this paragraph'?
(Answer: 7 errors)
What Is the Apostrophe?
The apostrophe is an important punctuation mark in English that actually has three different uses, a fact which contributes to the many errors English writers often make using it. In English, it is used rather widely and you cannot avoid using it but you should not just stick in anywhere you want, as misuse of its basic uses may lead to perceiving your writing as weak, uneducated or even childish.
The 3 uses of the apostrophe are:
1. Indicating omissions in contracted words
aren't
2. Indicating possessives
Ben's dog
3. Indicating plurals
the do's and don'ts
Uses of the Apostrophe in English Writing
1. Indicating Omissions in Contracted Words
Right or wrong ?
The Apostrophes uses ar'ent always clear-cut.
Wrong ! In the above example sentence the words (are not) should be joined together (contracted) into (aren't), as the letter o in not is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe which "glues" are and not together.
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating omissions below.
If you are ready to read about other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
The Punctuation Rules for Indicating Omissions in Contracted Words
1. When two words join together and a letter is dropped, an apostrophe is used to fill in for a dropped letter, as in the following examples, in which the dropped letter is in bold:I'm a writer, I'm not a doctor. (I am)
He's the best writer here but he doesn't talk a lot. (He is, does not)
She isn't the writer of this book (is not)
You're going to write an essay today. (You are)
They're writing short stories this semester. (They are)
We've had a few problems using apostrophes. (We have)
I'll start writing this paper tomorrow. (I will)
Who's the writer of this wonderful story? (Who is)
Let's finish reviewing apostrophe usage. (Let us)
*Watch out !
1. am does not contract with not ( amn't is wrong!)
2. Do not confuse the following contractions with similar words:
- it's (contraction for it is, it has) with its (possessive determiner/pronoun, meaning belonging to it).
- they're (contraction for they are) with their (possessive determiner) and there (place).
- who's (contraction for who is) with whose (question word about possession).
- you're (contraction for you are) with your (possessive determiner).
It's a great piece of writing. Its style is very clear.
Who's the writer whose books are now best sellers.
3. The contraction o'clock is required for writing (replacing the archaic expression of the clock).
4. Use contractions less in formal writing contexts, such as serious argumentative essays, formal letters of complaint, business writing or academic journals. This is because such contexts require the full standard language style.
5. Use contractions with apostrophes more in informal writing contexts which simulate spoken language, such as letters to friends and postcards, or when writing dialogs. Since these contractions derive from users connecting words spoken at a fast pace, they are more common in these contexts, where they are accepted, as without them the writing may seem unnatural or even condescending.
6. Nevertheless, you should not overuse apostrophes even informally and write:
-You shouldn't've said that.
double apostrophe for (You should not have said that)
-I'd let you do it.
ambiguous usage (I'd) may be (I would) or (I had)
2. Indicating Possessives
Right or wrong ?
The childrens ball fell into the two neighbor's yard.
Wrong ! In the above example sentence "childrens" should be written with an apostrophe (children's), stating "of the children", meaning that the ball belongs to the children. In addition, as there are two neighbors as owners of the yard, (neighbor's) should express possession as (neighbors').
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating possessives below.
If you are ready to read about other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
The Punctuation Rules for Indicating Possessives
Possession means that some "property" (a ball) belongs or is in close relationship to an "owner" (the children), which are usually described by nouns. Use the apostrophe to show what belongs to whom.1. Add 's to singular nouns to show they are the "owners."
The author's books appeared in Mr. Smith's review article.
Note: If the singular owner already ends with s, you can either add 's or only an apostrophe. At WhiteSmoke, we prefer the first option but if you chose otherwise, you must be consistent with the option you choose
Mr. Williams's dog ate Chris's writing assignment. Or
Mr Williams' dog ate Chris' writing assignment.
2. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns to show they are the "owners."
The Williams' dog ate all the students' writing assignment.
Note: If the plural nouns does not end in s, add 's to show they are the owners.
The Children's dog ate the people's shoes.
3. Add 's to the last word in compound words and phrases:
The basketball player's performance was incredible.
His father-in-law's business is very successful.
4. Add 's to each "owner" to show that each of them owns a "property" separately.
Dan's and Sharon's writing assignments are the best in the class.
(two different assignments written by two different people)
5. Add 's to the last "owner" in a group to show that the group owns a "property" jointly.
Dan and Sharon's writing assignment is the best in class.
(one assignment written by two people together).
*Watch Out!
1. The Apostrophe does not create possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, its, hers, ours, theirs).
We need two cars. Let's take ours and hers.
2. You may prefer using the preposition "of" instead of the apostrophe to show possession when the owner is described using a long phrase.
The new German writing instructor's books are best seller. or
The Books of the new German writing instructor are best sellers.
3. Indicating Plurals
Right or wrong ?
The student's had a variety of grades but the most were 70s or 90s.
Right and Wrong ! In the above example sentence the plural word (student's) does not require an apostrophe as plurals normally do not take an apostrophe. The plurals of numbers, however, can be written with an apostrophe or without.
If you want to know more, read the punctuation rules for indicating plurals below.
If you would like to return to other uses of the apostrophe, click here for the index.
The Punctuation Rules for Indicating Plurals with the Apostrophe
Even though the apostrophe is not used to make plural nouns in English, it is still used to pluralize the following elements:1. Plural of letters meant as letters, both in upper case and in lower case.
Mississippi has lots of S's in it. (option: underline the letter)
Mississippi has lots of s's in it.
2. Plural of numbers to avoid ambiguity.
The binary system uses 0's and 1's. (otherwise could look like Os and Is).
3. In the following cases, do not use an apostrophe, unless you believe the reader may not find your writing clear:
-Plurals of letters meant as words
The students got all Cs in their writing assignments.
(C is here a word for grade level)
-Plurals of words meant as words
No ifs or buts ! (no apostrophes)
The do's and the don'ts of apostrophe usage. (without apostrophes may seem unclear)
-Plural of numbers
This airliner only uses 747s.
-Plural of years
Berlin had a lively atmosphere during the 1920s.
-Plurals of symbols
What do all these @s mean ?
The Apostrophe: Summing it up
As our brief article shows, the "crooked little mark", as the apostrophe is sometimes referred to by less than enthusiastic apostrophe fans, has a range of punctuation uses. A good understanding of when and how to use the apostrophe is vital to writing quality English in a range of contexts. While we cannot all be expected to know the rules of English grammar, tools like WhiteSmoke English Writing Software can ensure that our use of the apostrophe and other punctuation marks is always correct. With WhiteSmoke technology checking your grammar, punctuation and spelling, your writing will always be perfect.
- Expanded vocabulary
- Templates
- Punctuation corrections
- Improved clarity
- Grammar check
- Thesaurus
- Spell check
- English-Dictionary
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