1. Use an apostrophe (’) in nouns to show possession.

    1. If the singular form of the noun does not end in s or an s sound, add the apostrophe and s (’s).
      Singular   Singular Possessive
      • teacher   teacher’s
      • cousin   cousin’s
      • cat   cat’s
    2. If the singular ends in s or an s sound, add the apostrophe (’ ) or the apostrophe and s (’s) if the additional s sound is desired.
      Singular   Singular Possessive
      • glass   glass’ or glass’s
      • bus   bus’ or bus’s
      • fox   fox’ or fox’s
    3. If the plural form of the noun does not end in s, add the apostrophe and s (’s).
      Plural   Plural Possessive
      • women   women’s
      • people   people’s
      • alumni   alumni’s
    4. If the plural form of the noun ends in s, add only the apostrophe (’ ).
      Plural   Plural Possessive
      • computers   computers’
      • diskettes   diskettes’
      • modems   modems’
    5. The possessives of proper nouns are formed in the same way as the possessives of common nouns.  If the singular form of the name does not end in s, add the apostrophe and s (’s).  If the singular ends in s or an s sound, add the apostrophe (’ ) or the apostrophe and s (’s).  The plural possessive always is formed by adding the apostrophe to the plural form.
      Proper
      Noun      		   Singular
      Possessive      		   Plural   Plural
      Possessive
      • Phil   Phil’s   Phils   Phils’
      • Ellis   Ellis’ or Ellis’s   Ellises   Ellises’
      • Jones   Jones’ or Jones’s   Joneses   Joneses’
      • Romero   Romero’s   Romeros   Romeros’
    6. Certain expressions relating to time, distance, and value also are written with an apostrophe.
      • a moment’s reflection   • four months’ wages
      • one kilometer’s length   • seven miles’ jog
      • a dollar’s cost   • two cents’ worth
    7. The singular possessive and the plural possessive of compound nouns are formed by adding the apostrophe to the end of the compound word.
      Singular Possessive   Plural Possessive
      • sister-in-law’s   sisters-in-law’s
      • son-in-law’s   sons-in-law’s
    8. Joint ownership is shown by making the last word in the series possessive.  Individual ownership is shown by making both parts possessive.
      • The party was at Mitch and Dave’s place.  (joint ownership)
      • I programmed Cheryl’s and Deborah’s computers.  (individual ownership)

  2. Use an apostrophe in indefinite pronouns to show possession.  The possessive case of indefinite pronouns is formed in the same way as the possessive case of nouns.
    • somebody’s coat   • everyone’s responsibility
    • one’s integrity   • others’ paperwork
    1. When showing the possessive of the personal pronoun it, no apostrophe is used.  An apostrophe and s (’s) is used after it to indicate “it is.”
      • I put the book in its place on the shelf.  (indicates possessive of it)
      • Those black clouds make me think it’s going to rain.  (indicates it is)

  3. Use the apostrophe with s to form the plural of numbers, letters, signs, and symbols.
    • Carolyn has scored 100’s on all her math tests.
    • Your written “o’s” look more like “a’s.”
    • In Dar’s report, he used “$’s” to indicate money.
    • Don’t forget to include “@’s” in all email addresses.

    1. In a context in which the plural is clear, apostrophes after upper-case letters are not necessary.
      • Condi got four As, two Bs, and three Cs.

    2. It is not necessary to use an apostrophe to create the plurals of years, decades, or abbreviations.
      • Most of the scientific discoveries in that area were in the 1990s.
      • All the PhDs in the department received a raise.
      • Sometimes I wonder about the IQs of such gullible people.

  4. Use the apostrophe to indicate the omission of a word, letters, or numerals.
    • couldn’t   • he’s   • ’n’
    • doesn’t   • it’s   • o’clock
    • hasn’t   • let’s   • ’twill
    • He was born in ’54.

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Copyright © 1998– by Ted M. Montgomery.  All rights reserved.