Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t,...

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Apostrophes LIBERTY UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER

Transcript of Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t,...

Page 1: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

ApostrophesLIBERTY UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER

Page 2: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

Explanation

Add an apostrophe –s to form the possessive of singular nouns and indefinite pronouns.

Use an apostrophe to form the possessive of plural nouns.

To form the possessive of a plural noun ending in –s, place an apostrophe after the –s.

To form the possessive of a plural noun that does not end in –s, add an apostrophe –s.

Use an apostrophe to form contractions.

Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit numbers expressed numerically.

Page 3: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

Possessives

Add an apostrophe –s to form the possessive of singular nouns and indefinite pronouns. Mrs. Parker’s cat, the lawyer’s statement, everybody’s business

Use an apostrophe to form the possessive of plural nouns. To form the possessive of a plural noun ending in –s, place an apostrophe after

the –s.

the Jones’ dog, the lawyers’ statements, two weeks’ notice

To form the possessive of a plural noun that does not end in –s, add an apostrophe –s.

the children’s pageant, the women’s conference, the geese’s feathers

Page 4: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

Use an apostrophe to form contractions.

you’re, shouldn’t, won’t

Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit numbers when expressed numerically.

9’s, p’s and q’s

Contractions & Conventional Uses

Page 5: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

Misuses

Do not use an apostrophe to make nouns plural. Incorrect: The book’s are now available. Correct: The books are now available.

Do not add an additional –s to nouns ending in –s. Incorrect: The knives’s blades were dull. Correct: The knives’ blades were dull.

Do not add an apostrophe to singular verbs that end in –s. Incorrect: God love’s everyone. Correct: God loves everyone.

Page 6: Apostrophes - Liberty University · Use an apostrophe to form contractions. you’re, shouldn’t, won’t Use an apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and single-digit

Misuses

Do not add an apostrophe to possessive personal pronouns. Incorrect: That hat is her’s. The horse follows it’s owner. Correct: That hat is hers. The horse follows its owner. Note: It’s is always a contraction of it is. Its is the possessive personal pronoun.

Do not add an apostrophe to dates, abbreviations, or numbers 10 or above. Incorrect: I was born in the 1980’s. That instructor has four GSA’s. Correct: I was born in the 1980s. That instructor has four GSAs. Note: When referring to a decade using only the last two numerals, place an

apostrophe before the date to indicate that the numerals denoting the century have been omitted (e.g., the ‘20s). Don’t place an apostrophe between the year and the –s.