{"id":357,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=357"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:15:40","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:15:40","slug":"18-5-using-apostrophes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/18-5-using-apostrophes\/","title":{"raw":"18.5 Using Apostrophes","rendered":"18.5 Using Apostrophes"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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18.5<\/span> Using Apostrophes<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Use apostrophes with nouns to show possession.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Know when to use apostrophes to show possession in pronouns.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Know how to use apostrophes to form contractions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nApostrophes are a tool for making English more streamlined. Instead of saying, \u201cthe book that belongs to Elizabeth,\u201d you can say, \u201cElizabeth\u2019s book.\u201d Instead of saying, \u201cI cannot come,\u201d you can say, \u201cI can\u2019t come.\u201d Although you could avoid using apostrophes, your writing will be more natural if you learn the rules for using possessives and contractions appropriately. Some people also opt to use apostrophes to form plurals in certain situations, but many usage experts continue to warn against this practice.\r\n
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    Using Apostrophes with Nouns to Show Possession<\/h2>\r\nYou form a possessive when you want to show a noun or pronoun in a sentence has ownership of another noun or pronoun.\r\n
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    Standard Singular and Plural Nouns<\/h2>\r\nAs shown in the following table, most nouns follow standard patterns for forming plurals.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nRule<\/th>\r\nExample 1<\/th>\r\nExample 2<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Singular noun<\/td>\r\nAdd apostrophe + -s<\/em>.<\/td>\r\ndog\u2019s collar<\/td>\r\nclass\u2019s assignment<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Plural noun ending in s<\/em><\/td>\r\nAdd only an apostrophe.<\/td>\r\ndogs\u2019 collars<\/td>\r\nclasses\u2019 assignments<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Plural noun ending in any letter other than s<\/em><\/td>\r\nAdd apostrophe + -s<\/em>.<\/td>\r\npeople\u2019s plans<\/td>\r\nwomen\u2019s plans<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Proper nouns<\/td>\r\nFollow the regular noun rules.<\/td>\r\nFinches\u2019 family home<\/td>\r\nAtticus\u2019s glasses<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Business names<\/td>\r\nUse the format the company has chosen whether or not it matches possessive formation guidelines.<\/td>\r\nMcDonald\u2019s employees<\/td>\r\nStarbucks stores<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Compound Nouns<\/h2>\r\nWhen forming the possessive of a compound noun<\/span><\/span>, form the possession only on the last word. Use standard guidelines for that word.\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • sister-in-law\u2019<\/strong>s hair<\/li>\r\n\t
    • six-year-olds\u2019<\/strong> growth patterns<\/li>\r\n\t
    • wallpapers\u2019<\/strong> patterns<\/li>\r\n\t
    • courthouse\u2019<\/strong>s aura<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Two or More Nouns<\/h2>\r\nWhen two or more nouns both possess another noun, form the possession only with the second noun if you are noting joint ownership. Form a possession on both nouns if each possession is independent.\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • Jem and Scout\u2019<\/strong>s escapades (the joint escapades of the two children)<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Jem\u2019<\/strong>s and Scout\u2019<\/strong>s escapades (the separate escapades of the two children)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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        Understanding Apostrophes and Possessive Pronouns<\/h2>\r\nPossessive pronouns (his<\/em>, her<\/em>, hers<\/em>, its<\/em>, my<\/em>, mine<\/em>, our<\/em>, ours<\/em>, their<\/em>, theirs<\/em>, your<\/em>, yours<\/em>) show possession without an apostrophe.\r\n
          \r\n\t
        • Is this hat yours?<\/li>\r\n\t
        • Those are his shoes.<\/li>\r\n\t
        • The dress is hers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIndefinite pronouns (another<\/em>, anybody<\/em>, anyone<\/em>, anything<\/em>, each<\/em>, everybody<\/em>, everyone<\/em>, everything<\/em>, nobody<\/em>, no one<\/em>, nothing<\/em>, one<\/em>, other<\/em>, others<\/em>, somebody<\/em>, someone<\/em>, something<\/em>) require an apostrophe to show possession.\r\n
            \r\n\t
          • another\u2019<\/strong>s problem<\/li>\r\n\t
          • everyone\u2019<\/strong>s problems<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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            Using Apostrophes to Form Contractions<\/h2>\r\nContractions<\/span><\/span> are shortened versions of two or more words where an apostrophe marks the missing letters. English has a wide range of common contractions, including those in the following table.\r\n
            \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
            Words in Contraction<\/th>\r\nContraction<\/th>\r\nWords in Contraction<\/th>\r\nContraction<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
            I am<\/td>\r\nI\u2019m<\/td>\r\nwhat will<\/td>\r\nwhat\u2019ll<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
            we are<\/td>\r\nwe\u2019re<\/td>\r\nthey will<\/td>\r\nthey\u2019ll<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
            what is<\/td>\r\nwhat\u2019s<\/td>\r\nwhat has<\/td>\r\nwhat\u2019s<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
            can not<\/td>\r\ncan\u2019t<\/td>\r\nshould not<\/td>\r\nshouldn\u2019t<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
            does not<\/td>\r\ndoesn\u2019t<\/td>\r\ndo not<\/td>\r\ndon\u2019t<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn addition to the many standard contractions, people often create custom, on-the-spot contractions.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMy husband\u2019<\/strong>s (husband is) also coming.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs a reader, you have to use context to know if the use of \u201chusband\u2019s\u201d is possessive or a contraction since the two are visually the same.\r\n
              \r\n\t
            • My husband\u2019<\/strong>s also coming.<\/li>\r\n\t
            • My husband\u2019<\/strong>s watch is on the table.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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              Using Apostrophes to Form Plurals<\/h2>\r\nSome people choose to form plurals of individual letters, numbers, and words referred to as terms. Many usage experts frown on this practice and instead choose to form the plurals by simply adding an -s<\/em>. Here are some examples of the two options, as well as methods of avoiding having to choose either option.\r\n
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              Examples<\/h3>\r\nSituation:<\/strong> more than one of the letter t<\/em>\r\n\r\nPlurals using apostrophes:<\/strong> There are two t<\/em>\u2019s in Atticus.\r\n\r\nPlurals without using apostrophes:<\/strong> There are two t<\/em>s in Atticus.\r\n\r\nAvoiding the choice:<\/strong> The letter t<\/em> shows up in Atticus twice.\r\n\r\nSituation:<\/strong> more than one of the number 5\r\n\r\nPlurals using apostrophes:<\/strong> If I remember right, the address has three 5\u2019s in it.\r\n\r\nPlurals without using apostrophes:<\/strong> If I remember right, the address has three 5s in it.\r\n\r\nAvoiding the choice:<\/strong> If I remember right, the number 5 shows up three times in the address.\r\n\r\nSituation:<\/strong> more than one \u201cthere\u201d in a sentence\r\n\r\nPlurals using apostrophes:<\/strong> This sentence has five there\u2019s.\r\n\r\nPlurals without using apostrophes:<\/strong> This sentence has five theres.\r\n\r\nAvoiding the choice:<\/strong> The word \u201cthere\u201d is used five times in this sentence.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n
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              Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n