Understanding Apostrophes

Understanding Apostrophes

By Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

English grammar and usage rules can be confusing.

One of the most confusing topics is the use of apostrophes.

Does the apostrophe go before the “s” or after the “s”?

And when should you omit apostrophes altogether?

Today we’re going to clear up that confusion.

Let’s get started.

Here’s how to do apostrophes correctly every time:

Look for the correct spelling of the word or name.

LouisLouis’ shift

womenwomen’s concerns

bossboss’ desk

Try these yourself!

(Remember: Look for the correct spelling of the word or name.)

the childrens safety

Dennis awardMrs. Harris carboth boys parentsthe Johnsons

housean officers duties

Let’s start by spelling each word and name correctly.

children Dennis Mrs. Harris both boys the Johnsons an officer

Now the apostrophes are easy!

children’s Dennis’ Mrs. Harris’ both boys’ the Johnsons’ an officer’s

children’s safety Dennis’ award Mrs. Harris’ carboth boys’ parentsthe Johnsons’ housean officer’s duties

Sometimes there are TWO correct answers…

…meaning that you can add an extra “s” to Dennis and Harris if you like.

Dennis’s awardMrs. Harris’s car

That’s because these names end in “s.”

Dennis’s awardMrs. Harris’s car

Or you can forget about that extra “s.”

Both ways are correct!

Dennis’ awardMrs. Harris’ car

Dennis’s awardMrs. Harris’s car

Let’s try a few more!

(Remember: Look for the correct spelling of the word or name.)

the puppys shotsthe puppies shotsthe Smiths

windowMr. Carneys

accidentthe peoples rights

First we’ll spell each one correctly.

puppypuppies the Smiths Mr. Carneythe people

Now it’s easy!

(Remember: Look for the correct spelling of the word or name.)

the puppy’s shotsthe puppies’

shotsthe Smiths’

windowMr. Carney’s

accidentthe people’s

rights

Now let’s take a look at plurals.Here are the Petersons. (Nice family, aren’t they?)

Should we insert an apostrophe into Petersons?Here’s the answer: It depends.

Apostrophes signify “of” ideas. They don’t mean “more than one” or “several.”

The Petersons are having a salad for lunch today.

There’s no “of,” so there’s no apostrophe.

The Petersons’ dining room overlooks a lovely garden.

“dining room of the Petersons” – yes, you need an apostrophe.

That “of” gives it away.

Try these yourself. (Be sure to look for an “of” idea!)

The Smiths are in Honolulu.The Holders alarm system isn’t working.The Chans asked me to check on their house.The Farrells car was stolen.

The Smiths are in Honolulu.The Holders’ alarm system isn’t working.The Chans asked me to check on their house.The Farrells’ car was stolen.

Here are the answers:

How did you do?

The Smiths are in Honolulu. (no “of”)The Holders’ alarm system isn’t working. (alarm system of the Holders)The Chans asked me to check on their house. (no “of”)The Farrells’ car was stolen. (car of the Farrells)

Now let’s look at one more issue related to apostrophes: Possessive pronouns.

Sound difficult? It’s not.Here’s a useful trick: Think about the word his.

His never has an apostrophe, does it?

His is a possessive pronoun.

Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes. Never.

That desk is hers.

While your car is in the shop, you can use ours.

Our department increased its budget again this year.

For example:

An apostrophe in it’s means it is:

It’s raining.I think it’s going to storm.

Let’s review:Apostrophes mean “of”Don’t use apostrophes to mean “more than

one”It’s easy to place apostrophes correctly if you

spell the word first: people, puppies, women, Dennis, boys

Don’t use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, ours, yours, theirs, its

For more practice with apostrophes, go to www.WritewithJean.com.

All the resources there are free!

www.WritewithJean.com.

You can find a free preview of my book at Amazon.com:

“A useful resource for both students and professionals.” - Jena L. Hawk, Ph.D., Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College"Personable and readable...Jean knows her subject forwards and backwards.” - Adair Lara, author of Hold Me Close, Let Me Go