APOSTROPHES
■The Apostrophe for Possession
Use an apostrophe to show possession, but be aware that “possession” may not always mean
“ownership”: it may simply suggest an association. Either way, add an -'s if a noun or
indefinite pronoun (like someone, anybody, and so on) does not already end in -s.
Not sure where to put the apostrophe? Turn the words inside out by asking, “Who does this
thing belong to?” or “what is this thing associated with?” Put the apostrophe after the word you
end with.
Ownership of an object I cannot find my friend's book. the book that
belongs to my
friend (one friend)
“Ownership” of something I can’t go on my friends’ road trip. the road trip of
more abstract my friends (more
than one friend)
Parts of a person or object My school’s library was flooded. the library that’s
part of my school
(one school).
Qualities of a person or Our schools’ safety is well-rated. the safety that’s a
object quality of our
schools (more than
one school).
Something produced by Julio’s speech was applauded. the speech made
someone. by Julio.
Personal relationship Juan and Julio’s sister is here. the sister of Juan
and Julio.
Something associated We’re proud of this summer’s the growth
with a time period. growth. associated with this
summer.
Use -s to show ownership for all singular nouns, even those already ending with -s, and for all
plural nouns that don’t end with -s. For plural nouns ending in -s, use an apostrophe alone.
Mike’s mother is visiting Mike is singular: add -s
Marlys’s mother is visiting Marlys ends with -s but is singular: add -s.
The women’s room is upstairs women is plural but doesn’t end in -s: add - s
The students’ tests were hard. students is plural and ends with -s: add an apostrophe only.
Last Revised Fall 2016
Pocatello
REND 323
208-282-4823
ISU Writing Center
Student Success Center
www.isu.edu/success/writing
Idaho Falls
CHE 220
2082-7925
■The Apostrophe for Contractions
Use the apostrophe in a contraction to show that letters have been left out.
She doesn't type. (Doesn't is a contraction of does and not)
I’ll buy that coat if it goes on sale. (I'll is a contraction of I and will)
Be especially careful in writing contractions that contain pronouns, such as:
let + us = let's they + are = they’re
you + have = you've we + are = we're
it + is or has= it's who + is or has = who's
■Misuses of the Apostrophe
Never use an apostrophe with an ordinary plural.
Two cats are in the yard. Those exams were easy!
Never use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun such as his, hers, its, theirs, or ours.
The book is hers. The dog scratched its back.
■Practice
Add, move, or remove apostrophes and -s wherever necessary.
1. A weeks' vacation in Paris is just what you need.
2. Those orchids color is very unusual.
3. Apparently, nobodys read todays horoscope's.
4. My countries most important crop is pineapples.
5. Please hang the twins coats on the wall hook's.
6. Once a month, the board of directors discusses' the workers suggestions.
7. Ulysses travels make for fascinating reading.
8. Somebodys wedding and engagement ring’s were left on the sink.
9. These must be Charles kid's, but who’s son is that?
10. Its a sad day when a dog cant play with its own toys.
■Answers
1. week’s 6. directors, discusses, workers’, suggestions
2. orchids’ 7. Ulysses’s, travels
3. nobody’s, horoscopes 8. Somebody’s, rings
4. country’s, pineapples 9. Charles’s, kids, whose
5. twins’, coats, hooks 10. It’s, can’t, its, toys
