When to Use ApostrophesApostrophes are used:
- To show possession (e.g., one dog's kennel , two dogs' kennel )
- In time expressions (e.g., a day's pay , two weeks' holiday )
- In contractions (e.g., can't , isn't , don't )
- To show plurals (e.g., three cat's , two video's )
- Randomly before the letter s (e.g., He like's pies. )
Rules for Using ApostrophesThis page covers the rules for using apostrophes. It also has six useful resources for learning about apostrophes, including two videos, an interactive widget, an infographic, a slide show, and links to some exercises.
Using Apostrophes for Possession
- The dog's kennel
- The dogs' kennel
The big question is whether to put the apostrophe before the s or after the s. The basic rule is this:
The apostrophe goes before the s for a singular possessor (e.g., one dog's kennel) and after the s when it's more than one possessor (e.g., two dogs' kennel).
Be aware that dog and dogs are the possessors. The position of the apostrophe has nothing to do with kennel. That word can be singular or plural. It makes no difference whatsoever to where the apostrophe goes. For example:
- One dog's dinner
- One dog's dinners
- Two dogs' dinner
- Two dogs' dinners
An exception to the rule: plural words that don't end s
The most notable exception is when the plural doesn't end in s (e.g., children, women, people, men). These words have the apostrophe before the s (even though they're plural). For example:
- children's toys
- women's hat (Here's another issue. It's not always about possession. This means a hat for women. Similarly, Picasso's painting is a painting by Picasso. He doesn't own it. Sometimes, it's about "possession" in the loosest terms.)
- people's poet
- men's sizes
Another quirk is that singular nouns ending s (e.g., Wales, Moses, John Wells) form their possessive forms either by adding ' (just an apostrophe) or 's depending on how you (personally) say the possessive form. For example:
- John Wells' report (This is correct. It is used by those who would say John Wells report as opposed to John Wellsiz report.)
- John Wells's report (This is also correct. It is used by those who would say John Wellsiz report.)
Are You Good at Possessive Apostrophes?Here's a quick test.
Using Apostrophes Incorrectly with Plurals
This mistake is most commonly seen when people form the plurals of nouns, but it happens with verbs too; e.g., He eat's pies.
- I like pig's. Dog's look up to us. Cat's look down on us. Pig's treat us as equal's. (These are all wrong.)
- I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as
- A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it fly's out, you cannot catch it. (This mistake is sometimes made with verbs too. This should be flies.)
- Tomato's and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French; garlic makes it good. (This mistake is particularly common when forming the plural of a noun which ends in a vowel (e.g., video's , banana's ). It should be tomatoes in this example.)
Using Apostrophes in Time Expressions
The big question with these is where to put the apostrophe. The ruling is quite simple: the apostrophe goes before the s for a single unit of time (e.g., one day's pay) and after the s when it's more than one (e.g., two days' pay).
- I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun. (Thomas Edison, 1847-1931)
- It's not worth it for just two minutes' pleasure.
- I live a stone's throw away.
- a year's insurance (a year of insurance)
- two weeks' holiday (two weeks of holiday)
Using Apostrophes to Replace Letters
- When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half. (Gracie Allen, 1906-1964)
- Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. (Fran Lebowitz)
Read more on apostrophes replacing letters
Using Apostrophes in Unusual Plurals
- There are two i's in skiing.
- You use too many but's in your writing.
- There are two Is in skiing.
- You use too many "but"s in your writing.
Read more on apostrophes used to show unusual plurals
Interactive ExerciseHere are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.
More Resources to Help with Apostrophes
(Resource 1) A Summarizing VideoHere is a video summarizing the use of apostrophes:
(Resource 2) Possessive Apostrophes in Less Than a MinuteHere is a very short video summarizing how to use possessive apostrophes:
(Resource 3) An Infographic Explaining the HistoryThis infographic explains the history behind the possessive apostrophe. It really helps!
(This page covers the possessive form of compound nouns and joint ownership.)