apostrophes
The apostrophe (') is used to show possession, to mark the omission of letters or numbers, and sometimes to indicate the plural of Arabic numbers, letters, acronyms, and words referred to as words. Do not confuse the apostrophe used to show the plural with the apostrophe used to show possession.
The word separate is spelled with two as. [The apostrophe indicates the plural, not possession.]
The letter's purpose was clearly evident in its opening paragraph. [The apostrophe shows possession, not the plural. ]
TO SHOW POSSESSION
To form the possessive case of most singular nouns, acronyms and initialisms, and indefinite pronouns, add an apostrophe and s.
New York City's atmosphere [proper noun] the officer's decision [common nounl NASAs program [acronyml the FBI's budget [mitialism] someone's money [indefinite pronoun]
With Coordinate and Compound Nouns. To show joint possession with coordinate nouns, make only the last noun possessive.
Michson and Morley's famous experiment on the velocity of light was made in 1887.
To show individual possession with coordinate nouns, make each noun possessive.
The difference between Tom's and Mary's test results was significant.
With compound nouns, only the last word takes the possessive form.
My sister-in-law's car is a red Miata.
Proper Nouns. Proper nouns ending in s may form the possessive either by an apostrophe alone or by 's. Whichever method you choose, be consistent.
Dickens's novels, Garth Brooks's songs Dickens' novels, Garth Brooks' songs
In names of places and institutions, the apostrophe is often omitted.
Harpers Ferry , Writers Book Club
Plural Nouns. Use only an apostrophe with plural nouns ending in s. Use an apostrophe plus s for plural nouns that do not end in s.
the managers' meeting, the waitresses' lounge but men's clothing, children's bedroom
Possessive Pronouns. The apostrophe is not used with possessive pronouns.
yours, its, his, hers, ours, whose, theirs
It's is a contraction of it is; its is the possessive form of the pronoun it. Be careful not to confuse the two words. (See its/it's.)
It's important that the sales force meet its quota.
TO SHOW OMISSION
An apostrophe is used to mark the omission of letters in a contraction or of
numbers in a year or decade,
can't cannot
| I'm |
I am |
| I'll |
I will |
| he'd |
he would |
| class of '61 |
class of 1961 |
Do not confuse a contraction of a noun plus is with the possessive form of the noun.
Steve's the new president of student government, [contraction for Steve is] Steve's supporters worked very hard to get him elected. [Steve plus possessive s]
TO FORM PLURALS
Lowercase Letters and Abbreviations Followed by Periods. Add an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a lowercase letter or of an abbreviation ending with a period.
Her g's and q's were hard to tell apart.
There were too many M.D.'s and not enough nurses.
Capital Letters, Abbreviations without Periods, Numbers, Symbols, Words Referred to as Words. Unless confusion could result, you may use either an apostrophe plus s or merely s to form the plurals of capital letters, abbreviations without periods, numbers, symbols, and words referred to as words (letters and words used as words are underlined, or italicized). However, follow one practice consistently.
two Xs [or X's]
but
seven 7's [not seven Is, which could cause confusion with the word is] his collection of CDs [or CD's] 5s, 30s, two 100s [or 5's, 30's, two 100's]
Substitute ands for &s. [or and's for &r's] The sentence included five ands. [or and's]
