by Tricia Amiel

Created on: May 28, 2010   Last Updated: June 06, 2010

A Brief Apostrophe Lesson

As writers, we all want to be taken seriously.  Grammar errors can undermine a writer’s best intentions, as well as his or her content, regardless of how good the writing is.  Without a doubt, the misuse of apostrophes is the most common error seen in every mode of writing, whether it be web content (though errors are most decidedly more common here than in other arenas), academia, magazine, or newspaper writing, there are grammar errors that are easy enough to fix, if only one knows the rules.  One of the most common grammar errors out there is the misuse of the apostrophe.  Check out these simple rules, and clear your writing of apostrophe errors.

Apostrophes are used for two reasons and two reasons only:  to create contractions, and to show possession. 

Contractions are the shortened forms of two words that have been put together to make one word—for example can’t, didn’t wasn’t, etc.  When the two words are put together, the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter.  For example, the O in cannot is replaced by the apostrophe in can’t. 

Make sure the apostrophe is in the right place. Possession with apostrophes is a bit trickier, but the basic rules are: show that something belongs to someone or something by using an apostrophe followed by S.  For example, Bert’s car, my friend’s books, Margie’s key.  If showing possession with a name that ends in S, it is grammatically correct to use an apostrophe AND an S, but it is not incorrect just to add an apostrophe to the end.  For example, Chris’s room, or Augustus’ house.

Here’s where it gets tricky:  if showing possession of a plural object or group of people with the same name, just add an apostrophe to the end of the plural word—for example, her brothers’ (more than one brother) car, or we’ll be at the Johnsons’ (the family members) house for dinner. Some pronouns are already possessive and don’t require the use of an apostrophe—for example: this hat is yours (not your’s).  The same goes for hers, theirs, and ours.

Lastly, don’t use an apostrophe to make something plural. EVER.  The barrage of acronyms out there has caused confusion on this point, but the rule has not changed.  DVD, TV, and CD are pluralized, respectively, DVDs, TVs, and CDs.  Shorten a span of years the same way, except that an apostrophe goes up front to take the place of the missing 19—for example, the ‘60s, the ‘70s, or the ‘80s.

Okay, now you’re ready.  Go forth and write your articles, web content, and essays.  Use apostrophes wisely; your writer’s integrity will thank you for it.

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