The apostrophe is undoubtedly one of the most misused and misunderstood punctuation marks. Some people are nonchalant about using it, while others insert it before and hope for the best.

If you are unsure about the proper use of an apostrophe, this article is for you. We’ll take you through all the common usage and let you know the most common mistakes people make when using them.

Broadly speaking, apostrophe use comes in two forms. The first form indicates 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 an 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 school. 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 even native speakers occasionally make. 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 mentioned 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