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| Rule 1. |
Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed. |
| Examples: |
don't, isn't |
| You're right. |
| She's a great teacher. |
|
| Rule 2. |
Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession. |
| Examples: |
one boy's hat |
| one woman's hat |
| one actress's hat |
| one child's hat |
| Ms. Chang's house |
| NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred. |
| Mr. Jones's golf clubs |
| Texas's weather |
| Ms. Straus's daughter |
| Jose Sanchez's artwork |
| Dr. Hastings's appointment (name is Hastings) |
| Mrs. Lees's books (name is Lees) |
|
| Rule 3. |
Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied. |
| |
Example: |
This was his father's, not his, jacket. |
|
| Rule 4. |
To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe. |
| Examples: |
two boys' hats |
| two women's hats |
| two actresses' hats |
| two children's hats |
| the Changs' house |
| the Joneses' golf clubs |
| the Strauses' daughter |
| the Sanchezes' artwork |
| the Hastingses' appointment |
| the Leeses' books |
|
| Rule 5. |
Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name. |
| Examples: |
We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles. |
| The Changs have two cats and a dog. |
|
| Rule 6. |
With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word. |
| Example: |
my mother-in-law's hat |
|
| Rule 7. |
If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe. |
| Example: |
my two brothers-in-law's hats |
|
| Rule 8. |
Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item. |
| Examples: |
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood. |
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed
next year.
Indicates separate ownership. |
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract. |
|
| Rule 9. |
Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. |
| |
Examples:
Correct: |
This book is hers, not yours. |
| |
Incorrect: |
Sincerely your's. |
|
| Rule 10. |
The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has. |
| Examples: |
It's a nice day. |
| It's your right to refuse the invitation. |
| It's been great getting to know you. |
|
| Rule 11. |
The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes. |
Examples:
|
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive. |
| She learned her ABCs. |
| the 1990s not the 1990's |
| the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's |
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s. |
| |
Exception: |
Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise. |
| |
Examples: |
Please dot your i's. |
| |
You don't mean is. |
| |
Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's. |
| |
You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word Os. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6's. |
|
| Rule 12. |
Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word). |
| Examples: |
Alex's skating was a joy to behold. |
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities
next Thursday. |
|
| Rule 13. |
If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form
of that pronoun. |
| Examples: |
I appreciate your inviting me to dinner. |
| I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict. |
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Are you ready for the quiz? |
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