Apostrophes
Pre-test
1. The 1950's were a fun time.
2. John and Kate's TV show tanked like American Idol's ratings after all the good judges left.
3. The child's dollhouse was gigantic.
4. She didn't see that UFO until it was too late.
5. Dwyane Wade's charity does a lot of good for the community.
6. I went home with a stack of paper's to grade.
2. John and Kate's TV show tanked like American Idol's ratings after all the good judges left.
3. The child's dollhouse was gigantic.
4. She didn't see that UFO until it was too late.
5. Dwyane Wade's charity does a lot of good for the community.
6. I went home with a stack of paper's to grade.
Ways to use an apostrope
1. Ownership
To indicate ownership
Susan owns a hat. It is Susan’s hat.
Barry owns a car. The car is Barry’s.
Agnes owns a restaurant. This would be Agnes’s restaurant.
To indicate ownership by a proper plural noun.
The Lin family owns that lawn mower. It is the Lins’ lawn mower.
The Edwards family owns a painting by Picasso. The painting is the Edwards’.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen own a mansion together. This would be Mary-Kate and Ashley’s mansion.
2. Contractions
To indicate one or more missing letters in a word.
She is not at work today [becomes] She isn’t at work today.
I’m afraid I will not be able to attend the party [becomes] I’m afraid Iwon’t be able to attend the party.
Because she does not like malls, Jennifer is doing all her Christmas shopping online this year [becomes] Because she doesn’t like malls, Jennifer’s doing all her Christmas shopping online this year.
3. Common Mistakes
If you’re talking about something that belongs to an “it,” you do not use an apostrophe.
That tree has pretty leaves. Its leaves are pretty.
Apostrophes do NOT belong in plural words.
Do you want to use vanilla or chocolate frosting for those cupcake’s? (Incorrect)
Do you want to use vanilla or chocolate frosting for those cupcakes? (Correct)
Do not use apostrophes when creating plural acronyms and years.
There are three ATM’s at the bank. (Incorrect)
There are three ATMs at the bank. (Correct)
AND
My mother was born in the 1950’s. (Incorrect)
My mother was born in the 1950s. (Correct)
To indicate ownership
Susan owns a hat. It is Susan’s hat.
Barry owns a car. The car is Barry’s.
Agnes owns a restaurant. This would be Agnes’s restaurant.
To indicate ownership by a proper plural noun.
The Lin family owns that lawn mower. It is the Lins’ lawn mower.
The Edwards family owns a painting by Picasso. The painting is the Edwards’.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen own a mansion together. This would be Mary-Kate and Ashley’s mansion.
2. Contractions
To indicate one or more missing letters in a word.
She is not at work today [becomes] She isn’t at work today.
I’m afraid I will not be able to attend the party [becomes] I’m afraid Iwon’t be able to attend the party.
Because she does not like malls, Jennifer is doing all her Christmas shopping online this year [becomes] Because she doesn’t like malls, Jennifer’s doing all her Christmas shopping online this year.
3. Common Mistakes
If you’re talking about something that belongs to an “it,” you do not use an apostrophe.
That tree has pretty leaves. Its leaves are pretty.
Apostrophes do NOT belong in plural words.
Do you want to use vanilla or chocolate frosting for those cupcake’s? (Incorrect)
Do you want to use vanilla or chocolate frosting for those cupcakes? (Correct)
Do not use apostrophes when creating plural acronyms and years.
There are three ATM’s at the bank. (Incorrect)
There are three ATMs at the bank. (Correct)
AND
My mother was born in the 1950’s. (Incorrect)
My mother was born in the 1950s. (Correct)