The Dreaded Apostrophe: A Quick Cheatsheet

Okay. I just have to start with a rant. If you’re going to correct someone, be sure, first, that you are correct! Recently I had breakfast at a lovely bakery not far from where I live. A sign near the tables noted something to the effect that diners were asked to put the tray back in its place. Some cleverer-than-thou person had added an apostrophe between the “it” and the “s.”

 No, no, a thousand times no!

I would venture to say that the weapon of choice for those whose intent is to mangle the English language is, was, and shall probably forever be the apostrophe.

Let’s all take a quick refresher class on its use. (And check out the Apostrophe Protection Society: bookmark that link and go back and reference it any time you have any doubt as to whether or not an apostrophe is called for.)

1) Contractions take apostrophes:

• It’s going to rain today!
• I’m reading that book now.
• She’s happy to be leaving at four.
• He can’t finish the assignment.

All of these sentences involve contractions. A contraction is a device showing us that some letters have been omitted, and is used in speaking and in informal writing. It is becomes it’s; I am becomes I’m; she is becomes she’s; cannot becomes can’t.

2) Noun possessives take apostrophes:

• Mary’s car is in the repair shop.
• My mother-in-law’s letter was short.
• We went to Clara and Tom’s show. (Note that only the second name takes the apostrophe and the s.)
• James’s music is still in the hall. (Note that even though James ends in an s, the Chicago Manual of Style requires that we still add an apostrophe and an additional s. James is still a singular, and the singular follows this rule.)
• It took five hours’ walking to get there! (Note that a plural places the apostrophe after the s.)

3) Pronoun possessives do not take apostrophes:

• The book should be in its place.
• That raincoat is his.
• Those are ours!

4) Dates do not take apostrophes: (The exception appears to be the unfortunate style guide employed by the New York Times)

• I haven’t seen him since the 1990s.
• He was born in the 80s.

Master these few rules and you will not (won't) make the common mistakes we all see out “in the wild,” such as ....

• Banana’s are .49 a pound!
• Put it back in it’s place!
• That book is her’s!

By now, you should be able to tell why the three examples above are incorrect. Spread the word!

Jeannette de Beauvoir is an award-winning novelist and copywriter. She teaches writing workshops and classes, and works with students and clients as an editor, book shepherd, and publishing consultant. More about her at jeannetteauthor.com, customline.com, and capecodwritingworkshops.net.