How to Address Problems with Apostrophes
There are some uses of the apostrophe that can be troublesome and confusing. Here are guidelines for some of these common issues.
Do not use an apostrophe to make a noun plural.
- Correct: The dogs ran in the yard.
- Incorrect: The dog’s ran in the yard.
- Correct: These books are on sale.
- Incorrect: These book’s are on sale.
Do not use apostrophes to form the plural of an abbreviation or number.
- Correct: EMTs
- Incorrect: EMT’s
- Correct: the 1800s
- Incorrect: the 1800’s
Use an apostrophe to show possession for the plural form of a year.
- Example: The 90s’ grunge rock scene is coming back in style.
- Example: The effects of the 1960s’ Civil Rights Movement are still being felt today.
Do not confuse contractions with similar sounding words.
Its and It’s
The word it’s is the contraction of it is or it has.
- Example: It is a beautiful day.
- Example: It’s a beautiful day.
- Example: It has been nice to know you.
- Example: It’s been nice to know you.
The word its is the possessive form of it.
- Example: My car needs to have its engine checked.
- Example: Its steering wheel just came off, too.
Who’s and Whose
The word who’s is the contraction of who is.
- Example: Who is coming to the party?
- Example: Who’s coming to the party?
The word whose is the possessive form of who.
- Example: Whose car alarm keeps going off?
- Example: Whose music do you like best?
They’re, Their, and There
The word they’re is the contraction of they are.
- Example: They are going to see the movie.
- Example: They’re going to see the movie.
The word there is the possessive form of they.
- Example: They forgot their keys.
The word there is a demonstrative that shows location.
- Example: I left my glasses over there.
Would’ve, Could’ve, and Should’ve
The words would’ve, could’ve, and should’ve are contractions with the word have. These words are sometimes mistakenly rendered as would of, could of, and should of.
Would of, could of, and should of are considered grammatically incorrect. Always use have or the contracted form ’ve instead.
- Correct: I would have gone to the mall if you’d invited me.
- Correct: I would’ve gone to the mall if you’d invited me.
- Incorrect: I would of gone to the mall if you’d invited me.
- Correct: I could have gone directly to college, but I chose to take a gap year first.
- Correct: I could’ve gone directly to college, but I chose to take a gap year first.
- Incorrect: I could of gone directly to college, but I chose to take a gap year first.
- Correct: I should have asked how my sister was doing.
- Correct: I should’ve asked how my sister was doing.
- Incorrect: I should of asked how my sister was doing.
