How to Use an Apostrophe

The apostrophe (') is one of the most misused and misunderstood punctuation marks in the English language. However, its uses are fairly simple and straightforward once you learn them. The instructions here list the uses for the apostrophe and also explain when not to use it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use an apostrophe to show possession or ownership of nouns. To show possession for a singular noun, add an 's to the end of the word, even if the word already ends in s. For example: lady's hat or the bus's schedule.

2. Use an 's to show possession for a plural noun that does not end in s. For example: the children's toys or people's champion.

3. To show possession for a plural noun that ends in s, add only an apostrophe. For example: the students' homework or the ladies' hats.

4. Use an apostrophe to indicate contractions, which are combinations of two words. For example: don't (do not), can't (cannot) and it's (it is).

5. Use apostrophes to pluralize numbers, letters, and symbols. For example: 1980's or There were four A's on the test.

Tips & Warnings

• It's is the contraction of "it is". In an exception to the rule, the possessive form its, as in "The company laid off 30 of its employees," does not have an apostrophe.
• Do not use apostrophes to pluralize words. For example, the plural of lady is ladies, not lady's.
• Do not use contractions in formal writing, such as school essays or business reports.

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