In the Writing Center with Ronnie B: Apostrophes, Part 1

Explains how to properly use apostrophes to mark missing letters, form contractions, and show possession or belonging.

Apostrophes are used to show or mark missing letters:

• Lil’ Kim
• Li’l John Buttera

In the first example, the apostrophe marks a missing ‘e’ at the end of the word but ignores missing ‘tt’s in middle. The apostrophe in the second example marks the missing ‘tt’s but ignores the missing ‘e’.

Both examples are acceptable. We know the word is “little.” We don’t mark every missing letter.

Here are more examples:

• good ol’ boy
• rock ’n’ roll
• great gosh a’mighty
• y’all

Apostrophes are used to join words/form contractions:

• we’re = a contraction of “we are”
• you’re = you are
• they’ve = they have
• John’s going = John is going

Words like “none” (no one, not one) and “cannot” (can not) are contractions that became single words. The English language is full of such cases.

Using contractions in writing is often called “conversational tone,” implying that contractions should not be used in academic or serious writing. But it’s perfectly okay to use them. In fact, writing and speech without contractions sounds very odd, almost abnormal. Don’t be afraid to use contractions, but be very aware of where they are used and keep their use to a minimum.

Apostrophes are used to show possession (the use of ’s to show belonging):

Singular Possessives

• Tommy’s coming with us.

In the above example, “Tommy’s” is a contraction of “Tommy is.” The apostrophe marks a missing ‘i’. Compare this to:

• Tommy’s “Coming with Us” sold 500,000 copies and hit #1 on the pop charts in 1999.

Here, the apostrophe shows possession. The song “Coming with Us” belongs to the artist Tommy (singular). Tommy performed and/or wrote the song.

• My classmate’s writing impresses me.

The writing that belongs to one particular classmate (singular) is impressive.

Plural Possessives

• My classmates’ writing impresses me.

In the above example, the writing of two or more classmates (plural) is impressive. The apostrophe is placed outside the s to show plural possession.

• I found my sisters’ earrings in the pile of clothes.
• The representatives’ decision is final.

In the examples above, the earrings belong to more than one sister (plural) while the decision belongs to more that one representative (plural). The apostrophes are placed outside the s of both nouns to show plural possession.

Sometimes placing an apostrophe plus ‘s’ at the end of a word ending with an ‘s’ or ‘z’ creates an unwanted double-s or double-z sound:

• Ross’s package just arrived.
• The Morning Show is still searching for the right person to fill Regis’s chair.

Both of the above examples sound fine; the apostrophes plus ‘s’ are right where they should be. But consider:

• The Smiths’s house burned down last night.

Here, the double-s sound is awkward and unnecessary. Write it as Smiths’, with the apostrophe outside the s, and pronounce it as it is written: “The Smiths’ house burned down last night.”

• Christopher Reeves’s death saddened everyone.
• Marty Naliz’s brother just arrived.

Both of the above also sound awkward. To get rid of the double-s and double-z sounds, place the apostrophes outside the s and z and pronounce both as written.

• Reeves’ and Naliz’ activities have been in the news.

Helpful Hint:

The word “series” tends to give writers problems. To create possession write series’, not “series’s.” (Also know that the plural form is simply “series,” not “serieses.”)

For more discussion of apostrophes, see “In the Writing Center with Ronnie B: Apostrophes, Part 2.”