32 | Apostrophes
32|Apostrophes
Use apostrophes for three purposes: to show possession, to indicate an omission, and to add an ending to a number, a letter, or an abbreviation.
32aTo make a singular noun possessive, add -’s.
The plumber’s wrench left grease stains on Harry’s shirt.
Add -’s even when your singular noun ends with the sound of s.
Felix’s roommate enjoys reading Henry James’s novels.
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Possessive Nouns and Plural Nouns at a Glance
Both plural nouns and possessive nouns often end with -s.
Plural means more than one (two dogs, six friends), but possessive means ownership (the dogs’ biscuits, my friends’ cars).
If you can substitute of for the -s’ (the biscuits of the dogs, the cars of my friends), use the plural possessive with an apostrophe after the -s.
If you can’t substitute of, you need the simple plural with no apostrophe (the dogs are well fed, my friends have no money for gas).
Some writers find it awkward to add -’s to nouns that already end in an -s, especially those of two syllables or more. You may, if you wish, form such a possessive by adding only an apostrophe.
The Egyptian king Cheops’ death occurred centuries before Socrates’.
32bTo make a plural noun ending in -s possessive, add an apostrophe.
A stockbrokers’ meeting combines foxes’ cunning with the noisy chaos of a boys’ locker room.
32cTo make a plural noun not ending in -s possessive, add -’s.
Nouns such as men, mice, geese, and alumni form the possessive case the same way as singular nouns: with -’s.
What effect has the women’s movement had on children’s literature?
32dTo show joint possession by two people or groups, add an apostrophe or -’s to the second noun of the pair.
I left my mother and father’s home with friends and neighbors’ good wishes.
If the two members of a noun pair possess a set of things individually, add an apostrophe or -’s to each noun.
Men’s and women’s marathon records are improving steadily.
32eTo make a compound noun possessive, add an apostrophe or -’s to the last word in the compound.
A compound noun consists of more than one word (commander in chief, sons-in-law); it may be either singular or plural.
The commander in chief’s duties will end on July 1.
Esther does not approve of her sons-in-law’s professions.
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32fTo make an indefinite pronoun possessive, add -’s.
Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific noun (see 1b).
Indefinite pronouns such as anyone, nobody, and another are usually singular; they form the possessive case with -’s. (See 32a.)
What caused the accident is anybody’s guess, but it was no one’s fault.
32gTo indicate the possessive of a personal pronoun, use its possessive case.
Personal pronouns stand for a noun that names a person or thing (see 1b).
The personal pronouns are irregular; each has its own possessive form, none with an apostrophe. Resist adding an apostrophe or -’s.
NOTE: Its (no apostrophe) is always a possessive pronoun.
I retreated when the Murphys’ German shepherd bared its fangs.
It’s (with an apostrophe) is always a contraction of it is.
It’s [It is] not our fault.
32hUse an apostrophe to indicate an omission in a contraction.
They’re [They are] too sophisticated for me.
Pat didn’t [did not] finish her assignment.
Americans grow up admiring the Spirit of ’76 [1776].
It’s [It is] nearly eight o’clock [of the clock].
32iUse an apostrophe to form the plural of a letter or word mentioned as a word.
| LETTER | How many n’s are there in Cincinnati? |
| WORD | Try replacing all the should’s in that list with could’s. |
No apostrophes are needed for plural numbers and most abbreviations.
| DECADE | The 2000s differed greatly from the 1990s. |
| NUMBER | Cut out two 3s to sew on Larry’s shirt. |
| ABBREVIATION | Do we need IDs at YMCAs in other towns? |
EXERCISE 32-1 Using Apostrophes
Correct any errors in the use of the apostrophe in the following sentences. Some sentences may be correct. Example:
Joe and Chucks’ fathers were both in the class of 90.
They’re going to finish their term papers as soon as the party ends.
It was a strange coincidence that all three womens’ cars broke down after they had picked up their mother’s-in-law.
Don’t forget to dot you’re is and cross you’re ts.
Mario and Shelley’s son is marrying the editor’s in chief’s daughter.
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The Hendersons’ never change: their always whining about Mr. Scobee farming land thats rightfully their’s.
Its hard to join a womens’ basketball team because so few of them exist.
I had’nt expected to hear Janice’ voice again.
Don’t give the Murphy’s dog it’s biscuit until it’s sitting up.
Isnt’ it the mother and fathers’ job to tell kid’s to mind their ps and qs?