SCUAThe Society for the Correct Use of the

ApostropheMOTTO

It’s seldom we see its proper use.

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A Facebook Ad - October 2010

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IS TV AT IT’S BEST

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Sign on meeting/conference room door of Tryon Branch Library, Pensacola, FL

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UWF Writing Lab Rules of Thumb for Possessives/Apostrophes from

Real Good Grammar, Too

by Mamie Webb Hixon

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First Rule of Thumb

DO NOT use an apostrophe to make a noun plural INCORRECT CORRECT

modem’s modems

cell phone’s cell phones

computer’s computers

Venetian blind’s Venetian blinds

the cleaner’s the cleaners

used textbook’s used textbooks

mortgage’s mortgages

policies’ policies

notebook’s notebooks

test result’s test results

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Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

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Use only an –s or –es to form the plural of a proper noun. The Simpsons Keeping up with the Joneses the Kennedys the Harrises Several Johnsons, Smiths, and Lopezes in the

city directory Two Gladyses in my lit class the two Justins Six Grammys, five Oscars, and two Tonys

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Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

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Familiar apostrophe usage

Rosemary’s Baby Charlie Wilson’s War Hell’s Kitchen Big Mama’s House Grey’s Anatomy A Knight’s Tale Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Murphy’s Law

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Second Rule of Thumb: The apostrophe has three common

uses. In Contractions

Y’all (NOT Ya’ll) FOR You all

doesn’t FOR does not School’s out! FOR School is out!

For Omissions

‘08 and ‘09

‘til the end of time

For Possessives

Charlie’s Angels

Charles’s hamster

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What is a possessive?

A possessive is a word that uses an apostrophe to show ownership. The two boys’ bikes The turtle’s shell My mother’s recipe Tess’s scarf California’s governor My parents’ permission

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What do possessives look like?

Possessives almost always have an apostrophe. This apostrophe usually replaces the prepositions of, by, with, or for.

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Third Rule of ThumbWriters use the apostrophe to substitute for the preposition of, by, with, or for: a doctor’s appointment (appointment with the

doctor) a week’s notice (notice of one week) the children’s toys (toys for the children) Presidents’ Day (Day for [two] Presidents) the boss’s desk (desk of the boss) Sophocles’ plays (plays by Sophocles)

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What do possessives look like? Sometimes an apostrophe is not used (e.g.

possessive pronouns and plurals that do not show ownership).

theirs, NOT their’s several countries, NOT several country’s

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Business Apostrophes

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Business Apostrophes

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Business Apostrophes

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Business Apostrophes

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Business Apostrophes

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Business Apostrophes

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Do NOT use an apostrophe

For possessive pronouns: its whose yours theirs ours hers

For plurals: The Simpsons the Joneses The Kennedys dictionaries bonuses Two Hillarys in my

class

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How does someone make a noun possessive? Some possessives require an apostrophe and

an -s.

- Singular nouns: the mayor’s views (Exceptions include ancient proper names ending in –es and such expressions as for conscience’ sake.)

- Plural nouns that do not end in –s: children’s hospital

Some possessives require only an apostrophe.

- Plural nouns that end in –s: the Joneses’ van

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Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:

For singular nouns before plural nouns or other singular nouns: attorney’s fees, the book’s editor

For singular nouns ending in –s: Bill Gates’s computer OR Bill Gates’ computer (unless the pronunciation is distorted: Ulysses’ computer, NOT Ulysses’s computer)

For plural nouns not ending in –s: the people’s court, women’s rights

For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s (optional) For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s

on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs (optional)

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Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:

For indefinite pronouns: nobody’s business For joint ownership: Ted and Jane’s wedding For individual ownership: Ted’s and Jane’s

wedding rings For compound singular nouns: the lieutenant

governor’s staff For compound plural nouns: my brothers-in-

law’s jobs

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JOINT OWNERSHIP

The Diva and the Diplomat:

Aretha and Condi’s Duet

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Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances: For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s

degree, bachelor’s degrees For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s

and A’s For words used as words: too many wherefore’s

in legalese For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is),

you’re (you are), they’re (they are) Notice that these are not possessives.

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Use only an apostrophe in these instances: For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van,

my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all instructors’ grades, the Beatles’ first hit, my two cents’ worth, the pundits’ opinions versus the experts’ opinions

To form the possessive of some singular nouns ending in –s: Jesus’ teachings, Sophocles’ plays, Keats’ poems OR Keats’s poems

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What else should someone know about possessives? When forming compound words and words that

show joint possession, only the last word is made possessive (unless the second word is a possessive pronoun). Mary Ann and Rebekah’s birthday party Greg’s and my idea

A possessive noun or pronoun should be used when preceding a gerund. I am tired of your making excuses.

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Examples of a possessive noun or pronoun preceding a gerund: my going to college

your coming to class

David’s leaving early

Philip’s being on time

your giving a report

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Use the possessive case for some inanimate objects.

today’s paper the university’s commencement speaker your paper’s topic her hair’s texture the novel’s theme the church’s mission statement

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Omit the possessive in these instances: computer monitor sports page civil rights movement state government special news report a student rally and protest humanities scholar a Florida Gator beach resorts the Peter Principle 37

Omit the possessive in these instances: animal shelter insurance coverage the O.J. Simpson trial White House correspondent senior citizen discount UWF Honors Program Arts and Sciences Council the Bush administration family reunion new jobs report

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Incorrect Possessive Omissions Driving my momma car Joyce brother graduation Dr. Yeager class Professor Smith class My husbands job My parents consent

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Let’s Practice!!!-Notice the way the following possessives should

be punctuated. As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples

complaints and requests. …PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS…

Mr. Hill’s grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952 Ford at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue. …GRANDSON’S 1952 FORD…

My three little girls favorite cartoon comes on very early Saturday morning. …GIRLS’ FAVORITE…

A sale of childrens’ and mens’ Dingo boots doesn’t happen regularly. …CHILDREN’S AND MEN’S…

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Let’s Practice a Little More… David’s and Kevin’s classroom is on the right at the end of

the hall. DAVID AND KEVIN’S…

Brent and Brian’s report cards were smudged and torn. BRENT’S AND BRIAN’S…

The three musketeer’s swords are fine, fast, and fancy. THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ SWORDS…

My sister-in-laws’ child-rearing practices leave much to be desired. MY SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHILD-REARING…

My brother keeps his bachelors degree framed in his office. …BACHELOR’S DEGREE…

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Almost There…

On my last report card, I received two As, one B, and two Cs. …A’s…C’s.

There are too many maybes in his report. …MAYBE’S…

The hospital has four M.D.s on staff today. …M.D.’s…

Whose your favorite actor in Hollywood? WHO’S… (Note that this is not a possessive).

I am excited about you addressing the assembly. …YOUR ADDRESSING…

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Last Ones!!!

Florida expects its’ students to speak and write well. …ITS STUDENTS…

Ed drove the Harrises’ home from the Joneses party. …HARRISES…JONESES’ PARTY.

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