Look Out for the Apostrophe When You Check for Grammar Mistakes
Posted on October 18, 2008
When you check your writing for grammar mistakes, look out for the apostrophe. It’s right up there with the misplacement of commas as the most popular grammar mistake.
The problem is simply that most people just don’t know where to put it! The purpose of the apostrophe is to indicate who “owns” what is being described, and the way to decide if an apostrophe is necessary is to turn the phrase into “of the…” subject. For example:
- The teacher’s book or “The pet of the teacher.” (Correct)
- The woman’s sweater or “The sweater of the courier.” (Correct)
- The car’s door or “The door of the car.” (Incorrect)
Did you catch the grammar mistake in the last one? Join the club! It will come as no surprise (given the complexity of the English language) that there is an exception to placement of an apostrophe. And that is if the “owner” is an object, like a house or building for example, then the apostrophe isn’t used. That’s all we need - anpother opportunity for a grammar mistake!
Where do you you put an apostrophe?
1. The position of the apostrophe depends if the noun is singular or plural. For singular words, add an “’s” to the end, even if the final letter is an “s.”
- The horse’s coat was brown with white markings.
- Lois’s newspaper article made the front page.
2. For plural words ending in “s,” add an apostrophe.
- The horses’ bridles were adorned with flowers.
3. For plural words that do not end in “s,” add an “’s” just like singular words.
- The Smith children’s basketball abilities were legendary.
4. Similarly, an “’s” is added to the end of compound words and the last noun of a joint possession.
- Fother-in-law’s
- Anne and Gilbert’s
5. For contractions, replace missing letters with an apostrophe; but remember that it’s where the letters no longer are, which is not always where the words are joined. An example would be “is not” and “isn’t.”
- I am = I’m
- They are = They’re
- Do not = Don’t
- Would not = Wouldn’t
- She is = She’s
Misplacing an apostrophe is very common, and unfortunately it sticks out a mile.. For example, a very common misuse of an apostrophe is with “its” or should that be “it’s”. If you are confused, remember that It’s is short for It is, but it’s so easy to mix its with it’s is - especially if you are typing fast. So when you have to check gtrammar mistakes in your work, keep your radar on for “its”!
