Apostrophe

ENG302 : The Class : The Process : Final Preparation : Apostrophe
Punctuation: Apostrophe

PUNCTUATION

The various symbols used to indicate stress, pause, and intonation are referred to as punctuation marks. Like most matters of correctness, the rules for punctuation change over time. Some of the most important current punctuation rules follow.

Apostrophe
The apostrophe indicates the possessive case of a noun.

1.For most singular nouns or names the apostrophe is followed by an "s".

The boy's dog eats meat.

She liked Smith's report.

2. If the singular noun or name itself ends in S, the apostrophe is added after the "s" and a second "s" is not added.

The boss' dog eats employees.

She liked Dickens' report.

(Some handbooks do give the writer the option of adding the second "s.")

3. If the noun or name is plural rather than singular, the apostrophe follows the "s."

The boys' dog eats bosses. (Two or more boys own the dog.)

The Smiths' report is excellent. (Two or more Smiths made the report.)

4. When two nouns are joined by "and," the some rules apply, but only to the second noun.

John and Mary's first anniversary with Texaco is tomorrow.

The Hatfields and the McCoys' feud is famous.

The apostrophe also indicates contractions. Although contractions are generally not favored in formal reports, some handbooks do not ban them absolutely:

Let's examine the data. Let us examine the data.

Here's the result. Here is the result.

One special case, the word it, causes lots of trouble for apostrophe users. Its is always the possessive form:

The well has its problems.

The exclusion in paragraph six is it's weak point.

It's is always a contraction for it is:

It's going to be a great day.

The writer will always select the correct form of its if she asks whether or not the phrase it is can be substituted for its. If it is can be substituted, then it's is correct. The writer may be solaced by knowing that this is one of the few rules with no exceptions to worry about. It's always means it is.

E-mail Greg Larkin at Gregory.Larkin@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-4911

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