{"id":1188,"date":"2015-03-05T22:01:46","date_gmt":"2015-03-05T22:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/technicalwriting1xmaster\/?post_type=chapter&p=1188"},"modified":"2023-03-28T22:34:32","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T22:34:32","slug":"basic-rules-of-editing-pennstate-university-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-technicalwriting\/chapter\/basic-rules-of-editing-pennstate-university-2\/","title":{"raw":"Apostrophes","rendered":"Apostrophes"},"content":{"raw":"As you already know, apostrophes are used to form both contractions\u2014two words collapsed into one\u2014and possessives. Handily, we can virtually ignore the issue of contractions here, since they are so easily understood and are rarely used in technical writing. With possessives, the apostrophe is used, typically in combination with an \u201cs,\u201d to represent that a word literally or conceptually \u201cpossesses\u201d what follows it.\r\n
a student\u2019s paper\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the county\u2019s borders\r\na nation\u2019s decision\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 one hour\u2019s passing<\/blockquote>\r\n

Apostrophes with Words ending in \u201cs\u201d<\/h4>\r\nAlthough practices vary, for words that already end in \u201cs,\u201d whether they are singular or plural, we typically indicate possession simply by adding the apostrophe without an additional \u201cs.\u201d\r\n
Illinois\u2019 law\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Student Affairs\u2019 office\r\nMars\u2019 atmosphere\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 interviewees\u2019 answers<\/blockquote>\r\n

Apostrophes with Acronyms and Numbers<\/h4>\r\nIn technical writing, acronyms and numbers are frequently pluralized with the addition of an \u201cs,\u201d but there is typically no need to put an apostrophe in front of the \u201cs.\u201d Therefore, \u201cSSTs\u201d (sea surface temperatures) is more acceptable than \u201cSST\u2019s\u201d when your intention is simply to pluralize. Ideally, use the apostrophe before the \u201cs\u201d with an acronym or a number only to show possession (i.e., \u201can 1860\u2019s law\u201d; \u201cDEP\u2019s testing\u201d) or when confusion would otherwise result (\u201cmind your p\u2019s and q\u2019s\u201d).\r\n

Possessives without the Apostrophe<\/h4>\r\nConvention, frequency of usage, and\u2014to be honest\u2014the economy of advertising, sometimes dictate that the apostrophe is dropped. In proper names that end in \u201cs,\u201d especially of geographic locations and organizations, the apostrophe is often omitted. And in everyday combinations where possession is automatically understood, the apostrophe is often dropped.\r\n
United States government\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Hells Canyon\r\nVeterans Highway\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harpers Ferry\r\nmens room\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Johns Hopkins University<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n

Self-Study<\/h3>\r\nFor the confused and curious, here are some \u201cApostrophes for Dummies\u201d websites:\r\n
\"Guidelines for Using Apostrophes Correctly\" page from about.com<\/a>\r\n\r\n\"Using Apostrophes to Show Possession\" page from dummies.com<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n ","rendered":"

As you already know, apostrophes are used to form both contractions\u2014two words collapsed into one\u2014and possessives. Handily, we can virtually ignore the issue of contractions here, since they are so easily understood and are rarely used in technical writing. With possessives, the apostrophe is used, typically in combination with an \u201cs,\u201d to represent that a word literally or conceptually \u201cpossesses\u201d what follows it.<\/p>\n

a student\u2019s paper\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the county\u2019s borders
\na nation\u2019s decision\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 one hour\u2019s passing<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Apostrophes with Words ending in \u201cs\u201d<\/h4>\n

Although practices vary, for words that already end in \u201cs,\u201d whether they are singular or plural, we typically indicate possession simply by adding the apostrophe without an additional \u201cs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Illinois\u2019 law\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Student Affairs\u2019 office
\nMars\u2019 atmosphere\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 interviewees\u2019 answers<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Apostrophes with Acronyms and Numbers<\/h4>\n

In technical writing, acronyms and numbers are frequently pluralized with the addition of an \u201cs,\u201d but there is typically no need to put an apostrophe in front of the \u201cs.\u201d Therefore, \u201cSSTs\u201d (sea surface temperatures) is more acceptable than \u201cSST\u2019s\u201d when your intention is simply to pluralize. Ideally, use the apostrophe before the \u201cs\u201d with an acronym or a number only to show possession (i.e., \u201can 1860\u2019s law\u201d; \u201cDEP\u2019s testing\u201d) or when confusion would otherwise result (\u201cmind your p\u2019s and q\u2019s\u201d).<\/p>\n

Possessives without the Apostrophe<\/h4>\n

Convention, frequency of usage, and\u2014to be honest\u2014the economy of advertising, sometimes dictate that the apostrophe is dropped. In proper names that end in \u201cs,\u201d especially of geographic locations and organizations, the apostrophe is often omitted. And in everyday combinations where possession is automatically understood, the apostrophe is often dropped.<\/p>\n

United States government\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Hells Canyon
\nVeterans Highway\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harpers Ferry
\nmens room\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Johns Hopkins University<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Self-Study<\/h3>\n

For the confused and curious, here are some \u201cApostrophes for Dummies\u201d websites:<\/p>\n

“Guidelines for Using Apostrophes Correctly” page from about.com<\/a><\/p>\n

“Using Apostrophes to Show Possession” page from dummies.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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