An apostrophe (’) is a punctuation mark that either shows ownership (Susan’s) or indicates that a letter has been intentionally left out to form a contraction (I’m, that’s, they’re).
APOSTROPHES TO SHOW OWNERSHIP
Darcy’s car is being repaired.
Joan got all the information she needed from the hotel’s Web site.
Seven boys’ coats were left at the school.
The children’s toys were all broken.
My neighbor’s twelve cats are howling. [One neighbor who has twelve cats]
My neighbors’ twelve cats are howling. [Two or more neighbors who together have twelve cats]
Possessive Pronouns
my | his | its | their |
mine | her | our | theirs |
your | hers | ours | whose |
yours |
The single most common error with apostrophes and pronouns is confusing its (a possessive pronoun) with it’s (a contraction meaning “it is”). Whenever you write it’s, test to see if it’s correct by reading it aloud as it is.
APOSTROPHES IN CONTRACTIONS
A contraction is formed by joining two words and leaving out one or more of the letters. When writing a contraction, put an apostrophe where the letter or letters have been left out, not between the two words.
I’ll go when you come back. = I will go when you come back.
Be sure to put the apostrophe in the right place.
Do not use contractions in papers or reports for college or work.
Common Contractions
aren’t = are not | it’s = it is, it has |
can’t = cannot | let’s = let us |
couldn’t = could not | she’d = she would, she had |
didn’t = did not | she’ll = she will |
doesn’t = does not | she’s = she is, she has |
don’t = do not | there’s = there is, there has |
he’d = he would, he had | they’re = they are |
he’ll = he will | they’ve = they have |
he’s = he is, he has | who’s = who is, who has |
I’d = I would, I had | won’t = will not |
I’ll = I will | wouldn’t = would not |
I’m = I am | you’ll = you will |
I’ve = I have | you’re = you are |
isn’t = is not | you’ve = you have |
APOSTROPHES WITH LETTERS, NUMBERS, AND TIME
Mississippi has four i’s.
In women’s shoes, size 8’s are more common than size 10’s.
I get two weeks’ vacation next year.
Last year’s prices were very good.