What is the rule for using apostrophes?

What is the rule for using apostrophes?

Writers often misuse apostrophes when forming plurals and possessives. The basic rule is quite simple: use the apostrophe to indicate possession, not a plural. The exceptions to the rule may seem confusing: hers has no apostrophe, and it’s is not possessive.

Does the apostrophe go before or after the year?

Similar to making contractions, an apostrophe should be used with years when omitting numbers. If you choose to write out the entire year, just remember that you shouldn’t add an apostrophe between the year and the letter s. This isn’t grammatically correct, unless the year is possessing something.

What are the rules for using an apostrophe?

Rules for Using Apostrophes. Apostrophes are used to show possession or omission. When writing contractions, place the apostrophe where the letter or letters are omitted. Examples: won’t, can’t, you’re wrong, he’s a great dentist. Singular possession requires an apostrophe before the “s.”.

When not to use an apostrophe?

Do not use an apostrophe in the possessive pronouns whose, ours, yours, his, hers, its, or theirs. Do not use an apostrophe in nouns that are plural but not possessive, such as CDs, 1000s, or 1960s. Do not use an apostrophe in verbs. Apostrophes sometimes show up in verbs that end in-s, such as marks, sees, or finds.

When to use apostrophes around a word?

Use apostrophes in contractions. Sometimes, especially in informal writing, apostrophes are used to indicate one or more missing letters. For example, the word “don’t” is short for “do not”; other examples include “isn’t,” “wouldn’t,” and “can’t.”.

When to form a plural with an apostrophe?

To show plural possession, make the noun plural and add an apostrophe. Some words will require an apostrophe plus an “s”. Others will only need an apostrophe. If the plural noun ends in an “s”, put an apostrophe at the end of the word.