When to use apostrophes - Laura McClure

TL;DR

The apostrophe marks possession, contraction, and plural of single letters in English.

Transcript

Is it a flying comma, or a quotation mark chopped in half? Either way, you may already be well-versed in how to use the apostrophe, but here's a quick refresher on its usage. The apostrophe can be used in three ways: to mark possession, to mark contraction, to mark the plural of single letters. Most of the time, if you see an apostrophe hovering he... Read More

Key Insights

• 💌 The apostrophe is versatile, serving to mark possession, contraction, and pluralization of single letters in English.
• 〽️ Proper placement of the apostrophe can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence.
• 🤩 Consistency in style is key when deciding whether to use 's or just ' after proper nouns ending in s.
• 🪡 Pronouns like "it" already indicate possession and do not need an apostrophe.
• 💌 Apostrophes are crucial in forming contractions and are used to stand in for missing letters in English.
• 😒 Despite some style issues regarding apostrophe use, following consistency in writing is vital for clarity.
• ✍️ Double contractions are generally not accepted in writing, except for in dialogue.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the apostrophe mark possession in English?

The apostrophe belongs next to the noun that owns or possesses something, whether the noun is singular, plural, or a proper noun.

Q: What are some style issues with the use of apostrophes?

There can be disagreement on whether to use 's or just ' after a proper noun ending in s, but consistency in style throughout writing is crucial.

Q: When should an apostrophe be used with pronouns like "it"?

Pronouns like "it" do not need an apostrophe for possession, as they already have possession built in; the apostrophe is only used in contractions like "it is" or "it has."

Q: Why is consistency important in using apostrophes in writing?

Consistency in apostrophe use helps avoid confusion and ensures clarity in writing, especially in showing possession and forming contractions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The apostrophe is used for possession, contraction, and marking the plural of single letters.

• Proper placement of the apostrophe changes the meaning of a sentence.

• Some style issues exist with apostrophe use, but consistency is key in writing.