10.12: Apostrophes

In brief, an apostrophe shows possession. If the word is singular, add an apostrophe and an "s" even if the word already ends with an "s." For example:

Russ's shoes stink.

If the word is plural and ends with an "s," just put an apostrophe after the "s."

The princesses' gowns were pretty.

If the word is plural, but does not end in an "s," a word such as "children" or "men" or "moose," then use an apostrophe and an "s."

The children's ice cream melted quickly.

An apostrophe is also used

-In a contraction, to show that there are letters missing:

You’re (you are)

-To provide clarity when the thing that is plural is just one letter, or is a number.

There are two m’s in the word mummy.

In the 90’s we drove muscle cars.

---