This document provides guidance on the proper use of apostrophes in English grammar. It explains that apostrophes are used to indicate possession or an omitted letter or digit, not to form plurals. Key rules covered include using an apostrophe before the "s" when making something possessive if it is singular and after the "s" if it is plural. Possessive pronouns like "his", "hers" and "its" do not use apostrophes. Examples are provided to demonstrate these rules for words, names and pronouns. Readers are directed to the author's website for additional apostrophe exercises and practice.

1. Understanding Apostrophes
By Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

2. English grammar and
usage rules can be
confusing.

3. One of the most
confusing topics is the
use of apostrophes.

4. Does the
apostrophe go
before the “s” or
after the “s”?

5. And when should
you omit
apostrophes
altogether?

6. Today we’re going
to clear up that
confusion.

7. Let’s get started.

8. Here’s how to do
apostrophes correctly
every time:
Look for the correct
spelling of the word or
name.

9. Louis
Louis’ shift
women
women’s concerns
boss
boss’ desk

10. Try these
yourself!
(Remember:
Look for the
correct spelling
of the word or
name.)
the childrens
safety
Dennis award
Mrs. Harris car
both boys parents
the Johnsons
house
an officers duties

11. Let’s start by
spelling each
word and name
correctly.
children
Dennis
Mrs. Harris
both boys
the Johnsons
an officer

12. Now the
apostrophes are
easy!
children’s
Dennis’
Mrs. Harris’
both boys’
the Johnsons’
an officer’s

13. children’s safety
Dennis’ award
Mrs. Harris’ car
both boys’ parents
the Johnsons’ house
an officer’s duties

14. Sometimes there
are TWO correct
answers…
…meaning that
you can add an
extra “s” to
Dennis and
Harris if you
like.
Dennis’s award
Mrs. Harris’s car

15. That’s because
these names end
in “s.”
Dennis’s award
Mrs. Harris’s car

16. Or you can forget
about that extra
“s.”
Both ways are
correct!
Dennis’ award
Mrs. Harris’ car
Dennis’s award
Mrs. Harris’s car

17. Let’s try a few
more!
(Remember:
Look for the
correct spelling
of the word or
name.)
the puppys shots
the puppies shots
the Smiths window
Mr. Carneys
accident
the peoples rights

18. First we’ll spell
each one
correctly.
puppy
puppies
the Smiths
Mr. Carney
the people

19. Now it’s easy!
(Remember:
Look for the
correct spelling
of the word or
name.)
the puppy’s shots
the puppies’ shots
the Smiths’
window
Mr. Carney’s
accident
the people’s rights

20. Now let’s take a look at plurals.
Here are the Petersons. (Nice family,
aren’t they?)

21. Should we insert an apostrophe into
Petersons?
Here’s the answer: It depends.

22. Apostrophes signify “of” ideas. They
don’t mean “more than one” or
“several.”

23. The Petersons are
having a salad for
lunch today.
There’s no “of,” so
there’s no apostrophe.

24. The Petersons’ dining
room overlooks a lovely
garden.
“dining room of the
Petersons” – yes, you
need an apostrophe.
That “of” gives it away.

25. Try these yourself. (Be sure to look for
an “of” idea!)
The Smiths are in Honolulu.
The Holders alarm system isn’t working.
The Chans asked me to check on their
house.
The Farrells car was stolen.

26. The Smiths are in Honolulu.
The Holders’ alarm system isn’t
working.
The Chans asked me to check on their
house.
The Farrells’ car was stolen.
Here are the answers:

27. How did you do?
The Smiths are in Honolulu. (no “of”)
The Holders’ alarm system isn’t
working. (alarm system of the Holders)
The Chans asked me to check on their
house. (no “of”)
The Farrells’ car was stolen. (car of the
Farrells)

28. Now let’s look at one more issue
related to apostrophes: Possessive
pronouns.

29. Sound difficult? It’s
not.
Here’s a useful trick:
Think about the word
his.

30. His never has an
apostrophe, does it?
His is a possessive
pronoun.

31. Possessive pronouns never have
apostrophes. Never.

32. That desk is hers.
While your car is
in the shop, you
can use ours.
Our department
increased its
budget again this
year.
For example:

33. An apostrophe in it’s
means it is:
It’s raining.
I think it’s going to
storm.

34. Let’s review:
 Apostrophes mean “of”
 Don’t use apostrophes to mean “more than one”
 It’s easy to place apostrophes correctly if you spell
the word first: people, puppies, women, Dennis,
boys
 Don’t use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns:
his, hers, ours, yours, theirs, its

35. For more practice with apostrophes, go
to www.WritewithJean.com.

36. All the resources there are free!
www.WritewithJean.com.

37. You can find a free preview of my book at
Amazon.com:
“A useful resource for both
students and professionals.”
- Jena L. Hawk, Ph.D.,
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Community College
"Personable and
readable...Jean knows her
subject forwards and
backwards.”
- Adair Lara, author of Hold Me
Close, Let Me Go