Apostrophes Do Not Make Nouns Plural<\/h3>\r\nNouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one). We indicate that a noun is plural by adding s<\/em> or\u00a0es<\/em> to the end of the noun[footnote]Most of the time; some words like \"children\" indicate pluralization by changing the end of the word in a different way.[\/footnote].\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\ncandle<\/td>\r\n candles<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\ncouch<\/td>\r\n couches<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\nlady<\/td>\r\n ladies<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nNote that I didn't use any apostrophes in that table. That's because apostrophes are never used to make nouns plural. We use letters for that job, not punctuation.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSear that advice into your memory; repeat it five times every night before bed; get it tattooed onto your arm[footnote]Don't really do this last one, unless you're really passionate about this stuff.[\/footnote]. Whatever you need to do to remember this rule -- do it. Apostrophe errors like these stand out like neon lights, particularly to your instructors.\r\nThe video game's<\/span> I play with my brother's<\/span> teach us about working in team's<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- Yuck! None of these apostrophes belong here. We use letters, not punctuation, to make things plural.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Apostrophes Point to Letters That Were Removed<\/h3>\r\nApostrophes are used often in the creation of contractions. Contractions are words formed by combining multiple words and removing one or more of the letters in them, or by shortening a long word by removing letters.\r\n\r\nA word like\u00a0I'm<\/em>, for example, is a contraction of two words: [I<\/em> + am<\/em>]. The apostrophe is placed where the letter a<\/em> was removed. It points down to the spot like an arrow.\r\n\r\nA word like\u00a0ma'am<\/em> is a contraction of the larger word\u00a0madam<\/em>. The apostrophe is placed where the letter\u00a0d<\/em> was removed.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMany contractions remove more than one letter, but the same rule applies: place the apostrophe so that it points down at the spot where letters were removed.\r\ncan't\u00a0 =<\/em> \u00a0cannot<\/em>\u00a0 (apostrophe points down to where we removed the n<\/em> and the o<\/em>)<\/p>\r\no'clock\u00a0 =\u00a0 of the clock <\/em>(apostrophe points down to where we removed\u00a0f<\/em>,\u00a0t<\/em>,\u00a0h<\/em>,\u00a0e<\/em>)<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nAre Contractions Allowed in Academic Writing?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's my crummy answer: it depends.\r\n\r\nContractions are generally considered more casual, and for that reason they are not always welcome in academic writing. I feel a little differently about\u00a0some<\/span> contractions, particularly in persuasive writing. There are times when contractions can add a little energy to your writing, so I don't mind when students use some contractions.\r\n\r\nHowever, even I have my limits. I wouldn't want a student to use c'mon<\/em>, for example, as a contraction of the statement come on!<\/em>\r\n\r\nSo, here's my advice. Check with your instructor before you use contractions.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\nApostrophes Show Possession\/Ownership<\/h3>\r\nIn English, when we want to show that someone owns something, or something belongs to something else in some way, we often use apostrophes to indicate that relationship.[footnote]We also use possessive adjectives: my, your, his, her, its, their, whose.[\/footnote]\r\n
Gurpreet's shoulder is in a sling.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIn this sentence, the\u00a0shoulder\u00a0<\/em>belongs to Gurpreet; it's part of his body. So, to acknowledge that the shoulder belongs to Gurpreet, we add 's<\/em> on the end of Gurpreet. That apostrophe (and the\u00a0s<\/em>) is the clue to the reader that we're talking about something that belongs to someone\/something else.\r\n\r\nLike an arrow, the apostrophe curves and points back at the owner.\u00a0![\"A](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/grammarbasics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2151\/2024\/02\/Apostrophe-Arrow-2.png\")
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nA Quick Word About Possession\/Ownership<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhen I say in this chapter that something \"belongs to\" something else, or that someone \"owns\" or \"possesses\" something, I'm not always talking about ownership in a legal sense, the way you might own a car or a book.\r\n\r\nSometimes ownership simply refers to a connection or association with something. The \"women's bathroom\" doesn't literally belong to women, for example. They can't just go into any women's bathroom, take all the soap, and sell it to someone else. But the bathroom belongs to women in the sense that it is made for them to use. It is theirs and not someone else's.\r\n\r\nThe same goes a phrase like \"the car's tires\"<\/em>. The car can't legally own its tires. But the tires belong to the car because they are connected; the tires are a part of the car.\r\n\r\nSo when you're thinking about apostrophes and ownership, free your mind a little bit to consider other ways we can consider things to belong to others.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\nApostrophes For Singular Owners<\/h5>\r\nIf the owner is a singular noun<\/strong>, then just add\u00a0's<\/em> after the noun, like this:\r\nXian's memory is excellent.<\/em><\/p>\r\nThe camera's lens is broken.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIf the singular owner happens to end in an\u00a0s<\/em>, you can still add 's\u00a0<\/em>on the end.\r\nMarcus's shoes are cool.<\/em><\/p>\r\nHercules's strength was legendary.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIf either of those looks weird, that's okay. Most style guides would say that you can leave out the last\u00a0s<\/em>. Just be consistent.\r\n\r\n \r\nApostrophes For Plural Owners<\/h5>\r\nIf the owner is a plural noun ending in s<\/em>, then you just add an apostrophe on the end, like this:\r\nThe players' uniforms were all stained.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- (apostrophe points back to the owners of the uniforms: players<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
My parents' dog is sick.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- (apostrophe points back to the owners of the dog: parents<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
The children's school lunches were delicious.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- (apostrophe points back to the owners of the lunches: children<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \r\n
Compound Owners<\/h5>\r\nIn some instances, there might be more than one distinct owner to point to.\r\n\r\nFor example, let's say two friends, Tom and Jerry, bought some lottery tickets. If I wanted to describe the tickets, should I write Tom and Jerry's tickets<\/em> or\u00a0Tom's and Jerry's tickets<\/em>? One apostrophe or two?\r\n\r\nThe answer depends on whether Tom and Jerry own the tickets together (joint ownership), or whether they each have their own ticket (individual ownership).\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIndividual Ownership<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf there are two separate owners, each with their own tickets, I'd write it like this:\r\nTom's and Jerry's tickets<\/em><\/p>\r\nI point to both; some are Tom's tickets and some are Jerry's tickets.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nJoint Ownership<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf the two people bought tickets that belong to both of them together, I'd write it like this:\r\nTom and Jerry's tickets<\/em><\/p>\r\nThe apostrophe points back at the group that owns the tickets: Tom and Jerry<\/em>.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPRACTICE: Add or Remove Apostrophes<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe following sentences all have apostrophe errors. Correct those errors by removing incorrect apostrophes and adding missing apostrophes. Check your answers with the Answer Key when you're finished.\r\n\r\n \t- The supermarkets aisles were bustling with shopper's searching for their favorite product's.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Ill grab some veggies and head to the checkout before its too crowded.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Giulia and Demis shopping list included groceries for their weekend barbecue<\/li>\r\n \t
- The cashier scanned each item with the customers loyalty cards in hand.\u00a0 (there are two customers)<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
- The deli counters selection of cheeses and meats tempted even the pickiest of eaters.\u00a0 (one counter<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n \t
- Familie's gathered at the stores caf\u00e9s tables to enjoy a quick meal between shopping trips.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The bakerys aroma of freshly baked bread and pastrie's filled the air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Employee's diligently restocked the shelves empty spaces throughout the day.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Theyve got a great selection of cheeses, so lets pick some up for the party.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Marcus and Johns shifts at the supermarket had been increased during the holidays.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[h5p id=\"23\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n ","rendered":"
This piece of punctuation is probably the toughest to master, and once you’re comfortable with apostrophes you’ll start to notice how often they’re misused all around us. Take this sign, for example, which I see as I walk into work every day:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/grammarbasics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2151\/2024\/02\/Apostrophe1-226x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
There’s an apostrophe missing here. The “risk” in this message belongs to someone — the owners — and that needs to be acknowledged with an apostrophe.<\/p>\n
You might not think that missing apostrophe is a big deal, but I promise you, misplaced or missing apostrophes can really affect the meaning of your sentences in ways that can be confusing, insulting, or even humorous to readers. This example from a writing text[1]<\/sup><\/a> illustrates that point nicely.<\/p>\n\n- The instructor began class by calling the students’ names.<\/em><\/li>\n
- The instructor began class by calling the students names.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In the first sentence, the teacher is simply taking attendance. But in the second sentence, the one missing the apostrophe, the teacher begins class by mocking and insulting the students!<\/p>\n
So we want to use apostrophes correctly. Well, when do we use them? What do they do?<\/p>\n
Apostrophes have two main functions, and in both instances it’s useful to think of apostrophes as arrows<\/span>. Like arrows, apostrophes point at things.<\/p>\nBefore we discuss how you\u00a0should<\/span> use apostrophes, I want to deliver a vital message about when you\u00a0should not<\/span> use them.<\/p>\nApostrophes Do Not Make Nouns Plural<\/h3>\n
Nouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one). We indicate that a noun is plural by adding s<\/em> or\u00a0es<\/em> to the end of the noun[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\ncandle<\/td>\n candles<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\ncouch<\/td>\n couches<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nlady<\/td>\n ladies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nNote that I didn’t use any apostrophes in that table. That’s because apostrophes are never used to make nouns plural. We use letters for that job, not punctuation.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The video game's<\/span> I play with my brother's<\/span> teach us about working in team's<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n can't\u00a0 =<\/em> \u00a0cannot<\/em>\u00a0 (apostrophe points down to where we removed the n<\/em> and the o<\/em>)<\/p>\r\n o'clock\u00a0 =\u00a0 of the clock <\/em>(apostrophe points down to where we removed\u00a0f<\/em>,\u00a0t<\/em>,\u00a0h<\/em>,\u00a0e<\/em>)<\/p>\r\n \r\n Are Contractions Allowed in Academic Writing?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n Gurpreet's shoulder is in a sling.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIn this sentence, the\u00a0shoulder\u00a0<\/em>belongs to Gurpreet; it's part of his body. So, to acknowledge that the shoulder belongs to Gurpreet, we add 's<\/em> on the end of Gurpreet. That apostrophe (and the\u00a0s<\/em>) is the clue to the reader that we're talking about something that belongs to someone\/something else.\r\n\r\nLike an arrow, the apostrophe curves and points back at the owner.\u00a0 A Quick Word About Possession\/Ownership<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n Xian's memory is excellent.<\/em><\/p>\r\n The camera's lens is broken.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIf the singular owner happens to end in an\u00a0s<\/em>, you can still add 's\u00a0<\/em>on the end.\r\n Marcus's shoes are cool.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Hercules's strength was legendary.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIf either of those looks weird, that's okay. Most style guides would say that you can leave out the last\u00a0s<\/em>. Just be consistent.\r\n\r\n \r\n The players' uniforms were all stained.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n My parents' dog is sick.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n The children's school lunches were delicious.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Tom's and Jerry's tickets<\/em><\/p>\r\nI point to both; some are Tom's tickets and some are Jerry's tickets.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nJoint Ownership<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf the two people bought tickets that belong to both of them together, I'd write it like this:\r\n Tom and Jerry's tickets<\/em><\/p>\r\nThe apostrophe points back at the group that owns the tickets: Tom and Jerry<\/em>.\r\n\r\n \r\n PRACTICE: Add or Remove Apostrophes<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n This piece of punctuation is probably the toughest to master, and once you’re comfortable with apostrophes you’ll start to notice how often they’re misused all around us. Take this sign, for example, which I see as I walk into work every day:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There’s an apostrophe missing here. The “risk” in this message belongs to someone — the owners — and that needs to be acknowledged with an apostrophe.<\/p>\n You might not think that missing apostrophe is a big deal, but I promise you, misplaced or missing apostrophes can really affect the meaning of your sentences in ways that can be confusing, insulting, or even humorous to readers. This example from a writing text[1]<\/sup><\/a> illustrates that point nicely.<\/p>\n In the first sentence, the teacher is simply taking attendance. But in the second sentence, the one missing the apostrophe, the teacher begins class by mocking and insulting the students!<\/p>\n So we want to use apostrophes correctly. Well, when do we use them? What do they do?<\/p>\n Apostrophes have two main functions, and in both instances it’s useful to think of apostrophes as arrows<\/span>. Like arrows, apostrophes point at things.<\/p>\n Before we discuss how you\u00a0should<\/span> use apostrophes, I want to deliver a vital message about when you\u00a0should not<\/span> use them.<\/p>\n Nouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one). We indicate that a noun is plural by adding s<\/em> or\u00a0es<\/em> to the end of the noun[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n Note that I didn’t use any apostrophes in that table. That’s because apostrophes are never used to make nouns plural. We use letters for that job, not punctuation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
Apostrophes Point to Letters That Were Removed<\/h3>\r\nApostrophes are used often in the creation of contractions. Contractions are words formed by combining multiple words and removing one or more of the letters in them, or by shortening a long word by removing letters.\r\n\r\nA word like\u00a0I'm<\/em>, for example, is a contraction of two words: [I<\/em> + am<\/em>]. The apostrophe is placed where the letter a<\/em> was removed. It points down to the spot like an arrow.\r\n\r\nA word like\u00a0ma'am<\/em> is a contraction of the larger word\u00a0madam<\/em>. The apostrophe is placed where the letter\u00a0d<\/em> was removed.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMany contractions remove more than one letter, but the same rule applies: place the apostrophe so that it points down at the spot where letters were removed.\r\n
Apostrophes Show Possession\/Ownership<\/h3>\r\nIn English, when we want to show that someone owns something, or something belongs to something else in some way, we often use apostrophes to indicate that relationship.[footnote]We also use possessive adjectives: my, your, his, her, its, their, whose.[\/footnote]\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nApostrophes For Singular Owners<\/h5>\r\nIf the owner is a singular noun<\/strong>, then just add\u00a0's<\/em> after the noun, like this:\r\n
Apostrophes For Plural Owners<\/h5>\r\nIf the owner is a plural noun ending in s<\/em>, then you just add an apostrophe on the end, like this:\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
Compound Owners<\/h5>\r\nIn some instances, there might be more than one distinct owner to point to.\r\n\r\nFor example, let's say two friends, Tom and Jerry, bought some lottery tickets. If I wanted to describe the tickets, should I write Tom and Jerry's tickets<\/em> or\u00a0Tom's and Jerry's tickets<\/em>? One apostrophe or two?\r\n\r\nThe answer depends on whether Tom and Jerry own the tickets together (joint ownership), or whether they each have their own ticket (individual ownership).\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIndividual Ownership<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf there are two separate owners, each with their own tickets, I'd write it like this:\r\n
\r\n \t
<\/p>\n\n
Apostrophes Do Not Make Nouns Plural<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n Singular<\/strong><\/td>\n Plural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n candle<\/td>\n candles<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n couch<\/td>\n couches<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n lady<\/td>\n ladies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n