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Avoiding The Catastrophe of The Apostrophe

Posted on September 15th, 2009 in Grammar by Alistair Briggs
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It is amazing to consider how often the use of an apostrophe trips people up. In reality, it is a very straightforward thing. Here we will take a look at the correct usage of apostrophes.

There are only two kinds of apostrophe.

1) To indicate a contraction (a word with some letters left out).
2) To indicate possession of something.

It really is as simple as that.

Let’s have a look at the apostrophe in action.

Did you hear? London’s burning!
Hopefully London’s fire services arrive soon!

As you can see, in the first statement the apostrophe indicates a contraction. It is used to shorten the word ‘is’ in London is burning. In the second statement, the apostrophe indicates the possession of something. It is used to show that the fire services belong to London.

A Possessive Apostrophe

To show that a noun possesses, owns, has or belongs to something, an -s is usually added.

Use of an apostrophe with singular nouns:

Read more in Grammar
« The Use of a Comma, a Problem in Itself
Twenty Grammatical Sore Points »

a dog’s bone; a man’s shirt; that woman’s skirt; Jane’s rose garden; the country’s problems; a day’s work

Use of an apostrophe with plural nouns:

men’s endeavours; women’s preferences; children’s books; rat’s tails

So far, so simple. This is the moment though where things get slightly more complicated. As you can see, none of the nouns used as examples above ended in an -s. When a common noun (singular or plural) ends with an -s, the addition of an apostrophe after the -s suffices. With a proper noun, there is a choice whether to add -’s or to add the apostrophe without the extra -s. In many cases it comes down to tradition or even just what sounds (and looks) correct.

The Jones’s house; Jesus’ teachings; Charles’s dogs; teachers’ meetings; Wales’ mountains

Sometimes the choice is arbitrary; you are just as likely to see (for example) Jones’ house as often as the alternative.

Pronouns normally do not require apostrophes (one exception is one’s)

its shadow; the house is theirs; the defeat was ours

Contraction Apostrophes

The use of apostrophes in informal contractions is very straightforward; its use is to show where letters have been removed for.

hasn’t = has not     can’t = can not
there’s = there is    mustn’t = must not
I’m = I am                it’s = it is
let’s = let us            I’ve = I have

The apostrophe also turns up to ‘concertina’ combinations:

rock’n'roll; sweet’n'low; shake’n'bake’

Also to drop the final letters of words (used most famously in song titles!)

nuthin’ doin’; finger lickin’; shakin’ all over; makin’ love

The best advice possible, regarding the apostrophe, is to keep in mind what you are trying to say with it and make sure it is the correct usage. If in doubt – leave it out. Rewording a sentence to avoid using any punctuation wrongly can sometimes be the best way forward.

This was just a brief look at some of the problems facing writers when it comes to the use of apostrophes. Hope you enjoyed it. For further reading about writing hints and tips please check out the articles below.

The Use of a Comma, a Problem in Itself

How Important is Spelling and Grammar

The Spell Check and Some Potential Pitfalls

Clarity of Writing: Seeing Through The Fog

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