How to use apostrophes

[paul.peace]

I did some proof-reading for an academic linguist at University of Sheffield and I had always had difficulty with apostrophes so I asked him how to use them. As it's a common problem I thought I would share his advice:

 

"You probably know that the apostrophe indicates possession: before the

-s for singular, after for plurals:

 

the boy's car (sg.)

the boys' car (pl.)

 

There are a few nouns that have irregular plurals not ending in -s. We

treat these like singulars, i.e. add -'s:

 

the children's toy (pl.)

 

Some nouns already end in -s in the singular, or they sound like they

end in -s. Here it's safest to add -'s:

 

James's book

Marx's philosophy

Mr Jones's house

 

Sometimes you see these treated like plurals (James' book, Mr. Jones'

house) but that's rare these days. Some people nonetheless insist on an

exception for Jesus and Moses and some other biblical figures (Jesus'

disciples, Moses' commandments) but this is more a preference than a rule.

 

Plain old plurals don't have an apostrophe, even if the word normally

ends in a vowel, although numerals are a bit of a hazy area:

 

Tangerines are on sale this week.

That restaurant has good pizzas.

The 1980s/1980's were the decade of techno-pop (but only: the

nineteen-eighties).

He kept rolling 7s/7's (but only: sevens).

 

My preference with numerals is to hold to the same rule as for other

plurals, just to be consistent.

 

The big exception to all these rules is the possessive form of "it".

This NEVER has an apostrophe:

 

We need to discuss it, because its consequences will be far-reaching. The hedge trimmer cut through its own power cord.

 

This is so it doesn't get confused with the contracted form of "it is",

which is ALWAYS spelled with an apostrophe (as are all contracted forms

of "is"):

 

It's a beautiful day.

He said that it's only a matter of time.

There's no time.

He's no rocket scientist.

 

The apostrophe never, ever goes after the "its" or after the -s when it

is a contracted form if "is".

 

And those are the apostrophe rules in a nutshell."

 

____________________________________________

 

I won't be able to comment if you want more info or you disagree with any of this as I am putting my trust in his authority and experience (I don't know enough about it!). So it's a bomb and run I'm afraid. I found it really useful though and I hope some of you do too.

[42fta]

Thank-you for that!

That has (That's??) always been a source of confusion.

[aligel]

And of course use it for missing letters in contractions, eg don't, they're.

 

I've got a really good reference book on punctuation: 'Penguin Guide to Punctuation' by RL Trask (ISBN 0140513663)

[Karis]

WHY DEAR LORD, can't they teach THIS in school?

 

It bugs me SO much when you see mainstream TV adds with DVD's or Offer's, etc.

 

Someone call the grammar police!

 

Stu

[pattricia]

WHY DEAR LORD, can't they teach THIS in school?

 

It bugs me SO much when you see mainstream TV adds with DVD's or Offer's, etc.

 

Someone call the grammar police!

 

Stu

Yes, even Marks & Spencer put an apostrophe in the wrong place on a ladies nightshirt.They withdrew them immediately the mistake was pointed out.

[Karis]

Why Miss Patricia, that really made me laugh.

 

Hurrah for the Grammar Police.

[Ivor&Mel]

Yes, even Marks & Spencer put an apostrophe in the wrong place on a ladies nightshirt.They withdrew them immediately the mistake was pointed out.

Do M&S still use the signs saying "less than 5 items"? We pedants would like to see fewer mistakes!

 

Hang on... "a ladies nightshirt"...?