The Apostrophe

The Apostrophe has two important jobs: it shows possession, or ownership, and
it stands in for letters that have been removed from words when a contraction is
made. It's important to know how to use the apostrophe correctly. People make mistakes
all the time!

Rules for using the Apostrophe

Rule 1: Use an apostrophe to show that someone or something owns something
(possession).
If something belongs to a singular noun that does not end in "s," use an apostrophe
before an "s" plus the letter "s" after the noun when writing about it:
The dog's collar was blue.
(singular noun not ending in "s" - 's)
My teacher's jacket was on the hook.
(singular noun not ending in "s" - 's)
David's mother bakes delicious cookies.
(singular noun not ending in "s" - 's)
If something belongs to a singular noun that ends in "s" (boss), use an
apostrophe plus the letter "s" after the noun:
That is my boss's office.
(singular noun ending in "s" - 's)
Mr. Jones's car is parked under the tree.
(singular noun ending in "s" - 's)
Exception: Do not add "s" after the apostrophe for the singular nouns ending in
"s" if their end sound is "iz" or "ziz."
For instance, "Jesus(iz) teachings," or "Sophocles(iz) philosophy" would fall into this
category.
Therefore, we write:
Jesus' teachings
(singular noun ending in "s" - s')
Sophocles' philosophy
(singular noun ending in "s" - s')
If something belongs to a plural noun that does not end in "s" (men), use an
apostrophe before an "s" plus the letter "s" after the noun:
The children's books were on the shelf.
(plural noun not ending in "s" - 's)
The men's room is over there.
(plural noun not ending in "s" - 's)
The geese's flight was long.
(plural noun not ending in "s" - 's)
If something belongs to a plural noun that ends in "s" (horses), simply add the
apostrophe after the final "s":
 The horses' saddles were made of leather.
(plural noun ending in "s" - s')
The students' homework was on time.
(plural noun ending in "s" - s')
My parents' room is upstairs.
(plural noun ending in "s" - s')
If something belongs to a compound noun, add an apostrophe plus "s" at the end
of the word.
Her sister-in-law's husband is a doctor.
(singular compound noun - 's)
Maids of honor's dresses were of pink color.
(plural compound noun - 's)
If two people own same thing, put the apostrophe plus "s" after the second name
only.
Edward and Jacob's house is very pretty.
(The house belongs to both "Edward" and "Jacob" - put 's after the second name)
If two people own the separate things, put the apostrophe plus "s" after both
names.
Edward's and Jacob's houses are both pretty.
(Both "Edward" and "Jacob" own separate houses - put 's after both the names)
Rule 2: Use an apostrophe to take the place of the letters you have removed when
you join two words in a contraction.
I should not go to the movies today. I shouldn't go to the movies today.
(Remove the "o," use an apostrophe)
He did not eat his pancakes.
He didn't eat his pancakes.
(Remove the "o," use an apostrophe)
Abby was not enjoying the game. Abby wasn't enjoying the game.
(Remove the "o," use an apostrophe)
Rule 3: To make numbers and letters plural, use an apostrophe with an "s."
My dad grew up in the 60's.
(Plural of 60 - use an apostrophe)
I spell my name with two t's.
(More than one "t" - use an apostrophe)
I wrote ten m's to practice my writing.
(More than one "m" - use an apostrophe)
Rule 4: When two digits of a year are dropped, use an apostrophe to take their
place.
My brother was born in '99.
(1999 shortened to '99 - use an apostrophe)
"The Summer of '69" was a popular song.
(1969 shortened to '69 - use an apostrophe)
 I am a member of the Class of '16.
(2016 shortened to '16 - use an apostrophe)
Rule 5: Do NOT use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns. The only exception
to this rule is one's.
That book is hers.
(Hers is a possessive pronoun - no apostrophe)
The new car was theirs.
(Theirs is a possessive pronoun - no apostrophe)
One should use one's own crayons.
(Apostrophe is always used with possessive pronoun - one's)
Rule 6: Do NOT use an apostrophe in the plural of a name to make a singular
name plural. Simply add "s" to make it plural.
The Smiths came to the house this afternoon.
(More than one Smith, just add "s")
The Harrisons threw a party.
(More than one Harrison, just add "s")
Summary
The handy chart below helps remember the rules and uses of the apostrophe.

Punctuation
NAME USAGE EXAMPLE
Mark

o Used to o The girl's

Apostrophe '
show possession or bike was in the garage.
form a contraction. o I can't come
to school
because I'm sick.

o Used to o My dad
make numbers and grew up in the 60's.
letters plural.

o My brother
o Used when was born in '99.
two digits of a year are
dropped.
o That book is
hers.
o Do NOT o One should
use an apostrophe with use one'sown crayons.
possessive pronouns.
The only exception to
this rule is one's.

o The
o Do NOT Smiths came to the house
use an apostrophe to this afternoon.
make a singular name
plural. Simply add "s"
to make it plural.