Apostrophes are symbols that can be used in multiple punctuation scenarios. They can be used to form possessives, contractions, and even make something plural. Let’s look at examples of each usage type.
What are the 3 uses of the apostrophe?
Contractions and omissions
In English, a contraction is generally the shortened form of a word or even a group of words. The apostrophe is used to omit certain characters or sounds in a word. The apostrophe is meant to represent missing letters. Contractions are omissions are made form auxiliaries, verbs, or modals that come with other words. Good examples are;
- I have to I’ve
- He would to He’d
- They are to They’re
- She cannot to She can’t
Sometimes, writers, in special circumstances such as when writing poems may sometimes use less common contractions. For instance, e’er might be used in place of ever. Writers may also use these less common contractions to represent a particular way of speech that is dependent on how they pronounce certain words. You may see a word like doin’ instead of doing or y’all rather than you all. Dialects from the American South often pronounce this way.
Contractions should be used when writing something casual or informal. Try to avoid when writing something formal with the exception of a few words like o’clock. The most commonly utilized contractions in informal writing include the following;
- Don’t (do not), isn’t (is not), hasn’t (has not), they’re (they are), we’re (we are), you’re (you are), She’d (she had, she would), I’d (I had, I would) We’ll (we will), you’ll (you will), He’s (he is), it’s (it is), I’m (I am), and let’s (let us).
Possessive nouns
When it comes to using the apostrophe in possessive nouns, following the rules is probably the biggest challenge. The confusion may arise since they wat the apostrophe is used vary depending on the type of noun you are making possessive. Remember the positioning of the apostrophe depends on whether the noun is singular or plural. Here are a few examples of both scenarios;
When it comes to singular nouns, add the apostrophe before the (s)
- The cat’s toy, the teacher’s desk, or the cow’s milk
When to use an apostrophe after ‘s’?
When it comes to plural nouns, add the apostrophe after the (s)
- The cats’ toys (multiple cats), the teachers’ desks (multiple teachers), or the cows’ milk (multiple cows)
When we have plural nouns that do not end with an (s), add the apostrophe before the (s)
- The men’s shoes or the sheep’s wool
Is it Chris’s or Chris’?
This is otherwise called the s apostrophe rule. When it comes to singular nouns that end with (s), you can only add the apostrophe at the end or add an apostrophe and the letter (s) at the end depending on the style you want to work with. See an example of either.
- James’ luggage got lost at Kansas’ main airport.
Others say to add apostrophe+s:
- James’s luggage got lost at Kansas’s main airport.
Remember to only add the apostrophe to plural proper nouns that end in (s). Neither style is incorrect.
Possessive pronouns
In most cases, personal pronouns, unlike proper nouns, do not make use of apostrophes to form possessives. Certain possessive pronouns such as theirs, hers, yours, and whose have led some trouble and confusion. You should know that none of these pronouns require you to add an apostrophe. The table below shows pronouns in there possessive and absolute independent forms:
When to use an apostrophe in the last name
When talking about general things that belong to two or more people, the final name is the only word to make possessive by adding an apostrophe. This is known as the last name apostrophe rules. E.g
- Jane and Joe’s car and house (Jane and Joe co-own the same car and house)
- Susan, Peter, and Karen’s first dog (To indicate all three share and posses the same first pet dog)
However, if separate things all belong to different people, you should make all the names possessive by making use of the apostrophe at the end or before adding the letter (s).
- Jane’s and Joe’s cars and houses (Jane owners a car and house and Joe own a different car and house)
- Susan’s, Peter’s, and Karen’s first dogs (Each person posses their own different first pet dog)
Forming a plural noun
A common mistake is done when writing is the unnecessary addition of the apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. Apostrophes do not make nouns plural with one notable exception when writing plural of lowercase letters such as;
- Make sure to circle all the as in the paragraph as punishment (Not correct and may give a wrong meaning).
- Make sure to circle all the a’s in the paragraph as punishment
Where does the apostrophe go?
As part of the word it belongs to, apostrophes should never be separated from the word by commas, full stops, or any other punctuation marks.
An apostrophe is part of the word it belongs to, so it should not be separated from the word by periods, commas, question marks, or any other punctuation mark.
- Can I get you somethin’?
- “’Twas the night after the hot, summer day,” Karen said.
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