Apostrophes

The apostrophe has come under abuse in recent years as electronic mail has expanded use of abbreviation alternatives. The apostrophe is out-of-character when used inappropriately.

One example of incorrect use is to form plurals of nouns that should be formed by only adding an s. For example, the plural form of apple is apples, not apple’s. The plural form of orange is oranges, not orange’s.

We show proper respect for the apostrophe by learning a few ways to use it correctly. The three uses discussed here are to show omission of a character (or characters), to show possession, and to form plurals in certain circumstances.

The apostrophe is used to show omission of characters

An apostrophe is used to make the omission of letters in a word or date.

Example: can’t, I’m, I’ll, we’re, they’re

the class of ‘91 (the number is assumed to be 1991)

the class of ‘02 (the number is assumed to be 2002)

Take care with abbreviating numbers in this manner in case there are alternate logical assumptions.

The apostrophe is used to show possession

Possession – An apostrophe is used before and with an s to form the possessive case of many nouns.

Example: A decline in Detroit’s automotive development and manufacturing industry has resulted in a multi-state economic recession.

Joint possession – When there are coordinate nouns, the last of the nouns takes the possessive form to show joint possession.

Example: Harold and Maud’s old-fashioned restaurant was a hit with teenagers in the Kalamazoo suburb.

Individual possession – To show individual possession with coordinate nouns, each noun takes the possessive form. In the example, David and Jennifer possess different things that are being compared.

Example: The difference between David’s and Jennifer’s performance evaluations was significant.

Nouns that end in s may form the possessive either by 1) using an apostrophe alone or 2) by adding an ’s.

Examples: a waitress’ paycheck or an actress’ script

a waitress’s paycheck or an actress’s script

Singular nouns of one syllable form the possessive by adding ’s.

Example: The boss’s office was moved.

Use only an apostrophe with plural nouns ending in s.

Example: an engineers’ meeting, the mechanics’ handbook

When a noun ends in multiple consecutive sounds, add only an apostrophe to form the possessive.

Example: Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ parables

Do not use the apostrophe with possessive pronouns (they are already possessive).

Example: whose, theirs, yours, its, his, ours,

Note the unusual situation with the word it’s. It’s is a contraction of it is, not the possessive form of it.

When stating the possessive of the names of places and institutions, the apostrophe is usually omitted.

Example: Barbers Warf, Authors Book Consortium

The apostrophe is used to form plurals

An apostrophe and an s may be added to show the plural of a word as a word.

Example: There were five to’s in his first sentence.

If the term is in all capital letters (such as an acronym) or ends with a capital letter, the apostrophe is not required to form the plural.

Example: The Academic Academy awarded seven M.S.s in engineering last year.

He had included 37 ADDs in his computer program.

Don’t use apostrophes to form the plural of letters and numbers unless confusion would result without one.

Example: 4s, 50s, three 4WDs, two FWDs, sixteen AWDs, twenty 100s, seven I’s (in the last example, I’s could be confused as Is without the apostrophe)

Give the apostrophe a break. Use it wisely and with respect. It will serve you well.