The apostrophe ( ’ ) has three uses: contractions, plurals, and possessives.
Contractions
Contractions (e.g., let’s, don’t, couldn’t, it’s, she’s) have a bad reputation. Many argue that they have no place at all in formal writing. You should, of course, observe your publisher’s or instructor’s requirements. An absolute avoidance of contractions, however, is likely to make your writing appear stilted and unwelcoming.
If you are unsure where to insert the apostrophe when forming a contraction, consult a good dictionary.
Avoid two of the most common contraction–apostrophe errors: the contraction of it is is it’s, and the contraction of let us is let’s; without the apostrophe, its is the possessive form of it, and lets is a form of the verb let, as in “to allow or permit.”
Let’s not forget that grandma lets the kids eat way too much junk food when they stay with her.
In informal writing, it is acceptable to indicate a year with only the last two digits preceded by an apostrophe (e.g., the class of ’85, pop music from the ’80s).
Plurals
The apostrophe is seldom used to form a plural noun.
Correct
Since the 1980s, the Thomases, both of whom have multiple PhDs, have sold old books and magazines at the fair on Saturdays and Sundays.
Incorrect
Since the 1980’s, the Thomas’s, both of whom have multiple PhD’s, have sold old book’s and magazine’s at the fair on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.
The rare exception to the rule is when certain abbreviations, letters, or words are used as nouns, as in the following examples. Unless the apostrophe is needed to avoid misreading or confusion, omit it.
For this last example, the trend is to instead write yeses and noes.
Possessives
The formation of possessives is treated in different ways by different authorities. The rules below are based on The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, and are appropriate for most writing. Associated Press style, used by most newspapers, is slightly different. See the essay on style for more information.
The general rule for forming possessives
The general rule is that the possessive of a singular noun is formed by adding an apostrophe and s, whether the singular noun ends in s or not.
The possessive of a plural noun is formed by adding only an apostrophe when the noun ends in s, and by adding both an apostrophe and s when it ends in a letter other than s.
An apostrophe ( ' ) is used to indicate the omission of one or more letters in a word (rock 'n' roll), omission of a century in a year ('97), a contraction (they're) and to show possession
possession
In linguistics, possession is an asymmetric relationship between two constituents, the referent of one of which (the possessor) in some sense possesses (owns, has as a part, rules over, etc.) the referent of the other (the possessed).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Possession_(linguistics)
Apostrophes are used to form the possessive form of a singular noun or a plural noun not ending in s by adding ' and an s at the end. If a plural noun ends in s, only ' should be added.
The most basic use of an apostrophe is to show possession. The general rule of thumb: Singular words get an apostrophe and an s, and plural words get an apostrophe. Example: The duck-sized horses' numbers outmatched the horse-sized duck's strength.
It is never, ever appropriate to put an apostrophe + s with a possessive pronoun. You should never see your's, her's, their's, etc. Incorrect: What's your's is mine, and what's mine is your's. Correct: What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours.
With plural nouns ending in “s,” you add the apostrophe after “s” and do not add an additional “s.” For example, the plural noun parents becomes parents' (not “parent's” or “parents's”) in a phrase like “my parents' car.”
The rules for plural nouns, possessive nouns and plural possessive nouns are: plural nouns - add -s or -es, no apostrophe ("the Smiths" or "the Wallaces")
The apostrophe is used for contractions (he+is=he's) and for possessive nouns. A SINGULAR possessive noun has the apostrophe BEFORE the s (the bear's fur; a person's rights). A PLURAL possessive noun has the apostrophe AFTER the s: (many bears' dinners; some cars' engines).
Guidelines for Using Apostrophes Correctly: Use an apostrophe to indicate possession (e.g. “John's bike”). Use an apostrophe and “s” to indicate possession with singular nouns (e.g. “The dog's tail”). Use an apostrophe after the “s” for plural nouns that end in “s” to indicate possession (e.g. “The girls' room”).
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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