6.8: Apostrophes

A. Apostrophes are used to show possession or relationship between two nouns.

For a regular plural noun, put the apostrophe after the -s.

• Teachers’ office hours can be a great resource for struggling students.

For an irregular plural noun, keep the apostrophe before the -s.

• Children’s stories are useful teaching tools.

For proper nouns that end in -s, both forms can be used.

• Carlos’ ideas / Carlos’s ideas are very interesting.

B. Apostrophes are used to show a contraction. Note: In much academic and professional writing, writers do not use contractions.

• It’s important to study environmental changes. (it is)
• The author’s discussing his works online. (the author is)
• The author’s discussed his works online. (the author has)

Don’t use an apostrophe for decades.

• The 1960s was a time of great change in society.

Don’t use an apostrophe for acronyms.

• Before streaming music and video, CDs and DVDs were common forms of media.

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