Apostrophe Usage:
1. Use an apostrophe to mark the omission of one or more letters in contractions: cannot becomes can’t; le us becomes let’s; that is becomes that’s; it is becomes it’s, etc.
2. Use an apostrophe to mark the omission of letters and numbers; of the clock becomes o’clock; the class of 1984 becomes the class of ’84, etc.
3. Use an apostrophe to mark the omission of letters in quoted dialogue; He said, “I’ve just been sittin’ and waitin’ for my dinner.”
4. Use the apostrophe to form the plural of letters, numerals, and symbols; one t becomes two t’s, one 5 becomes two 5’s, and one $ becomes two $’s.
5. Use the apostrophe to show ownership:
a. That is Susan’s coat.
b. Please put the toys in the children’s bedroom.
c. The horses’ manes are silky. (More than one horse)
d. The horse’s mane is silky. (One horse)
If a word ends in “s,” the apostrophe goes after the “s,” but if the word doesn’t end in “s,” the apostrophe goes before the “s.
However, when you are showing possession using a name that ends in “s,” you usually add an apostrophe plus an “s” since you create another syllable when you pronounce the possessive form of the name; for example, “James’s advice was lousy. Russ’s marriage is over.”
