The apostrophe is undoubtedly one of the
most misused and misunderstood punctuation marks. Some people are very blasé
about how to use it, where others just stick it in before an ‘s’ hoping that
they’re right.
If you are ever unsure about the proper use
of an apostrophe, then this is the article for you. We’ll take you through all
the common usage, as well as letting you know the most common mistakes people
make when using them.
Broadly speaking, apostrophe use comes in
two forms. The first form is to indicate a possessive, and the second is in
contraction.
Possessives
When you are trying to indicate that an object in
the sentence belongs to someone, an apostrophe is the essential tool you need.
There are several ways of applying it, however, depending on the exact nature
of the word you wish to turn possessive:
- When it’s a singular possessive, we use ‘s — except
with pronouns:
Example: Jennifer’s son is studying in Muscat.
Example: That ball is Nick’s.
When used with pronouns, we don’t use an
apostrophe:
Example: The cat has lost its appetite
Example: The car is ours.
- When you have multiple possessors, use ‘s after the
last item in the list:
Example: The idea was Tom. Nicola and Hanna’s
Example: Bill and Ted’s boss is a very strict person.
- When you have a singular ending in ‘s’ or ‘z,’ use ‘s
Example: Ros is my best friend at schools. Ros’s mother has the same job as my mom.
Example: This dog is Rick Sanchez’s
- When you have a plural ending in ‘s,” use the apostrophe alone after
the s — s’
Example: The teachers’ salaries at Muscat Academy are very high.
Example: The students’ stress levels are increasing
When the plural is already modified and no
‘s’ is needed, you can use
‘s
Example: The women’s bathroom is down the corridor on the left-hand side
Example: One thing I am passionate about is children’s education
Contraction
The next common usage is with contractions
— when we amalgamate or shorten words to make them quicker and easier to note
down, or to conserve space on paper. The apostrophe works as an indicator for
letters that have been removed.
Example: I am = I’m — apostrophe
replace “a”
Example: You are = You’re — apostrophe
replaced “a”
The apostrophe can replace multiple letters
Example: Cannot = Can’t — apostrophe
replaces “no”
Example: Of the Clock = O’clock —
apostrophe replaces “..f the”
Common Mistakes Made by Language
Learners
If English is your second language, no one
will blame you for making a few mistakes with apostrophes. Below are some of
the most common errors that even native speakers make from time to time. Take
note so you don’t make them yourself:
1. With mixed possession, using an
apostrophe on all possessors:
Wrong: Tommy’s and John’s father is
called Phil
Correct: Tommy and John’s father is
called Phil.
2. Its Vs. It’s
The word “its” is the possessive form of
“it.” As we mention above, we don’t use an apostrophe because it is a pronoun.
“It’s” is the contraction of “it is.” This one needs the apostrophe.
3. Your or You’re?
Another very common error. With no
apostrophe, the word “your” is the possessive form of you. “You’re” is the
contraction for “you are.”
4. Whose Vs. Who’s
“Whose” is a possessive meaning the thing
belonging to “who” (whoever that might be), and “who’s” is the contraction form
of “who is.”
Practice makes perfect
We hope you’ve learned all you need to know about the tricky world of apostrophes. If you can remember the above, you won’t go far wrong next time you need to use one.
Author : Thomas
