Which Sentence Shows Correct Apostrophe Use

Which Sentence Shows Correct Apostrophe Use? Mastering Apostrophes for Clear and Concise Writing

Apostrophes. Those little marks often cause confusion, even for seasoned writers. Mastering their use is crucial for clear, concise, and professional writing. Incorrect apostrophe use can lead to misunderstandings and even make your writing appear unprofessional. This comprehensive guide will explore the intricacies of apostrophe usage, highlighting common errors and offering clear examples to help you confidently navigate this often-tricky aspect of grammar.

Understanding the Two Main Uses of Apostrophes

Apostrophes primarily serve two purposes: indicating possession (showing ownership) and marking contractions (combining two words). Let's delve into each function separately.

1. Apostrophes Showing Possession (Ownership)

The most common use of the apostrophe is to show possession or ownership. The placement of the apostrophe depends on whether the noun is singular, plural, or irregular.

• Singular Nouns: Add an apostrophe followed by an 's' ('s) to show possession.

  • Example: The dog's bone (one dog owns the bone)
  • Example: The cat's toy (one cat owns the toy)
  • Example: The child's drawing (one child created the drawing)

• Plural Nouns Ending in 's': Add only an apostrophe after the 's' ('s) to show possession.

  • Example: The dogs' bones (multiple dogs own the bones)
  • Example: The cats' toys (multiple cats own the toys)
  • Example: The children's drawings (multiple children created the drawings)

• Plural Nouns Not Ending in 's': Add an apostrophe followed by an 's' ('s) to show possession.

  • Example: The men's restroom (multiple men use this restroom)
  • Example: The women's club (multiple women belong to this club)
  • Example: The people's choice (the choice of multiple people)

• Proper Nouns: Follow the same rules as singular or plural nouns.

  • Example: Shakespeare's plays (Shakespeare owned the plays)
  • Example: The Joneses' house (the house owned by the Jones family)

• Compound Nouns: Add the apostrophe and 's' to the last element of the compound noun.

  • Example: My mother-in-law's recipe (the recipe belongs to the mother-in-law)
  • Example: The editor-in-chief's decision (the decision belongs to the editor-in-chief)

2. Apostrophes in Contractions

Apostrophes also indicate contractions—the shortening of two words into one. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters.

• Common Contractions:

  • It is/It's: It's a beautiful day. (It is)
  • Cannot/Can't: I can't believe it! (Cannot)
  • Do not/Don't: Don't worry. (Do not)
  • Will not/Won't: I won't go. (Will not)
  • Is not/Isn't: He isn't here. (Is not)
  • Are not/Aren't: They aren't coming. (Are not)
  • Was not/Wasn't: She wasn't there. (Was not)
  • Were not/Weren't: They weren't ready. (Were not)
  • Has not/Hasn't: He hasn't finished. (Has not)
  • Have not/Haven't: They haven't seen it. (Have not)
  • Would not/Wouldn't: I wouldn't do that. (Would not)
  • Should not/Shouldn't: You shouldn't go. (Should not)
  • Could not/Couldn't: I couldn't hear you. (Could not)
  • Let us/Let's: Let's go! (Let us)
  • There is/There's: There's a problem. (There is)
  • Here is/Here's: Here's your key. (Here is)

Important Note: Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns like hers, his, its, ours, theirs, and yours. These already show possession without needing an apostrophe. For example, "The dog wagged its tail," not "The dog wagged it's tail."

Common Apostrophe Errors and How to Avoid Them

Several common mistakes occur when using apostrophes. Let's examine them with illustrative examples.

1. Its vs. It's

This is arguably the most frequently confused pair. Remember:

• It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."

• Its shows possession.

  • Correct: The cat licked its paw.
  • Incorrect: The cat licked it's paw.

2. Your vs. You're

Another common mistake involves confusing "your" and "you're."

• Your shows possession.

• You're is a contraction of "you are."

  • Correct: You're going to love this!
  • Incorrect: Your going to love this!

3. Their, There, and They're

These three words are often misused, leading to confusing sentences.

• Their shows possession.

• There indicates a place or position.

• They're is a contraction of "they are."

  • Correct: They're going to their house over there.

4. Apostrophes with Numbers and Letters

Apostrophes are sometimes used to create plurals of letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Correct: Mind your p's and q's.
• Correct: There are too many 7's in that sequence.

5. Possessive Pronouns – No Apostrophes Needed!

As mentioned earlier, possessive pronouns like hers, his, its, ours, theirs, and yours do not require apostrophes.

Identifying Correct Apostrophe Usage in Sentences: Practice Examples

Let's examine some sentences and determine whether the apostrophe usage is correct.

Sentence 1: The student's essay was well-written.

Correct or Incorrect? Correct. This correctly shows possession—the essay belongs to one student.

Sentence 2: The cat's toys were scattered across the floor.

Correct or Incorrect? Correct. This correctly shows possession—the toys belong to one cat.

Sentence 3: The childrens' books were a popular choice.

Correct or Incorrect? Incorrect. The correct plural possessive form is "children's."

Sentence 4: Its raining outside.

Correct or Incorrect? Incorrect. The correct word is "It's" (it is).

Sentence 5: You're going to the party, right?

Correct or Incorrect? Correct. This correctly uses "you're" as a contraction of "you are."

Sentence 6: Their going to the movies tonight.

Correct or Incorrect? Incorrect. The correct word is "They're" (they are).

Sentence 7: The company's profits were higher this year.

Correct or Incorrect? Correct. This correctly shows possession—the profits belong to the company.

Sentence 8: My brother-in-laws car is new.

Correct or Incorrect? Incorrect. The correct possessive form is "brother-in-law's."

Sentence 9: The dog wagged it's tail happily.

Correct or Incorrect? Incorrect. The correct word is "its" (possessive).

Sentence 10: Whose coat is this? It's hers.

Correct or Incorrect? Correct. "Hers" is a possessive pronoun and doesn't need an apostrophe.

Advanced Apostrophe Usage: Tricky Scenarios

Some scenarios can be more challenging.

1. Joint Possession vs. Individual Possession

• Joint Possession: When two or more people possess something jointly, the apostrophe and 's' are added to the last name only. Example: John and Mary's house (they own the house together).

• Individual Possession: When two or more people possess something individually, the apostrophe and 's' are added to each name. Example: John's and Mary's cars (they each own a car).

2. Possessive Nouns Ending in 's'

Adding another 's' can sound awkward. Consider using just the apostrophe if the addition of another 's' creates an awkward sound. However, the apostrophe + 's' is still grammatically correct.

Conclusion: Mastering Apostrophes for Impeccable Writing

Correct apostrophe usage is essential for clear, concise, and professional writing. Understanding the difference between possession and contraction, along with avoiding common errors, will significantly improve your writing quality. Regular practice and careful attention to detail will help you master this often-tricky aspect of grammar, leaving your readers impressed with your impeccable writing skills. Consistent practice and careful editing will significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your written work. Remember, mastering apostrophe use is a key element of polished and effective communication.