Using Apostrophes

The apostrophe is a tiny mark with two clear jobs, yet it causes more confusion than almost any other punctuation. The editing questions test whether you can tell when an apostrophe belongs and, just as importantly, when it does not.

An apostrophe has two uses: it shows possession (the dog’s leash) and it marks the missing letters in a contraction (do not becomes don’t). It is not used to make a word plural. Keeping those jobs separate solves most apostrophe problems.

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Showing Possession and Contractions

To show that something belongs to someone, add an apostrophe plus “s” to a singular noun: the teacher’s desk. For a plural noun that already ends in “s,” add just an apostrophe: the students’ books. Wrong: The girls coats were wet. If the coats belong to the girls, it needs an apostrophe. Corrected: The girls’ coats were wet. The second job is contractions, where an apostrophe stands in for missing letters. “Cannot” becomes “can’t,” “I am” becomes “I’m,” and “they are” becomes “they’re.” Wrong: Dont forget your keys. The apostrophe marks the missing “o.” Corrected: Don’t forget your keys. When you see a word with letters left out, the apostrophe goes exactly where those letters were removed.

Do Not Use Apostrophes for Plurals

The most common apostrophe error is adding one to make a simple plural. Plurals almost never take an apostrophe. Wrong: We sold ten apple’s at the market. “Apples” is just more than one apple. Corrected: We sold ten apples at the market. This mistake shows up on signs everywhere, so it is easy to copy by habit. Watch especially for possessive pronouns, which never take an apostrophe: “its,” “yours,” “hers,” “ours,” and “theirs” already show possession. Wrong: The choice is your’s. Corrected: The choice is yours. Wrong: The cat cleaned it’s fur when you mean the fur belongs to the cat. Corrected: The cat cleaned its fur. Remember: apostrophes signal possession or missing letters, never a plain plural.

Watch: A Short Video Lesson

Khan Academy gives a clear overview to go with this lesson:

A Routine for Apostrophes

1. Ask whether the word shows possession or is a contraction.
2. For a singular owner, add apostrophe plus “s.”
3. For a plural owner ending in “s,” add just an apostrophe.
4. Never add an apostrophe just to make a plural.

Practice

1. What are the two jobs of an apostrophe?
2. How do you show possession for a singular noun?
3. Should you use an apostrophe to make a plural?
4. Fix this: “The dog’s are barking.”
5. Fix this: “Thats not mine.”
6. Does “yours” need an apostrophe?

Answers

1. Showing possession and marking contractions.
2. Add apostrophe plus “s” (the teacher’s).
3. No.
4. “The dogs are barking.”
5. “That’s not mine.”
6. No.

Where This Fits in Your RLA Prep

Apostrophes overlap with commonly confused words and contractions and other punctuation marks. See every topic on the Language Arts Prep Hub.

Recommended Prep Books

Keep building momentum with a full study guide and practice tests:

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