Question
How do you use an apostrophe to show possession for singular and plural nouns AND to form a contraction. Can you give examples?
Answers
GPT-5 mini
Short rules with examples.
1) Possession — singular nouns
- Rule: add 's to a singular noun to show possession.
- Example: The cat's tail; the teacher's book; my friend's car.
- Singular nouns that already end in s: most style guides prefer adding 's (Charles's), but some allow only an apostrophe (Charles'). Either is acceptable — be consistent.
- Examples: Charles's hat (or Charles' hat); the boss's office (or the boss' office).
2) Possession — plural nouns
- Rule for regular plural nouns (end in s): add only an apostrophe after the plural s.
- Example: The dogs' owner (owner of the dogs); the teachers' lounge.
- Rule for irregular plurals (do not end in s): add 's.
- Example: the children's toys; the men's room; the people's choice.
- Joint vs. separate possession:
- Joint possession (two people own one thing): put the apostrophe on the last noun — Jack and Jill's pail (they share one pail).
- Separate possession (each owns their own): put apostrophes on both nouns — Jack's and Jill's cars (each has a car).
- Compound nouns: add 's to the end of the whole compound.
- Example: my mother-in-law's recipe.
3) Contractions (show omitted letters)
- Rule: use an apostrophe to show missing letters when two words are combined.
- Examples: it's = it is/it has (It's raining.); don't = do not; you're = you are; they're = they are; I'm = I am; we'll = we will.
Important common pitfalls
- Its vs. it's: Its (no apostrophe) = possessive; it's (with apostrophe) = it is or it has.
- Example: The dog wagged its tail. It's been a long day.
- Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe: yours, hers, his, ours, theirs, its.
- Don't use an apostrophe to form regular plurals: apples (not apple's), 1990s (not 1990's). Exception: use an apostrophe to pluralize single letters for clarity — mind your p's and q's.
If you want, I can check a few sentences you have and mark where apostrophes are needed.
1) Possession — singular nouns
- Rule: add 's to a singular noun to show possession.
- Example: The cat's tail; the teacher's book; my friend's car.
- Singular nouns that already end in s: most style guides prefer adding 's (Charles's), but some allow only an apostrophe (Charles'). Either is acceptable — be consistent.
- Examples: Charles's hat (or Charles' hat); the boss's office (or the boss' office).
2) Possession — plural nouns
- Rule for regular plural nouns (end in s): add only an apostrophe after the plural s.
- Example: The dogs' owner (owner of the dogs); the teachers' lounge.
- Rule for irregular plurals (do not end in s): add 's.
- Example: the children's toys; the men's room; the people's choice.
- Joint vs. separate possession:
- Joint possession (two people own one thing): put the apostrophe on the last noun — Jack and Jill's pail (they share one pail).
- Separate possession (each owns their own): put apostrophes on both nouns — Jack's and Jill's cars (each has a car).
- Compound nouns: add 's to the end of the whole compound.
- Example: my mother-in-law's recipe.
3) Contractions (show omitted letters)
- Rule: use an apostrophe to show missing letters when two words are combined.
- Examples: it's = it is/it has (It's raining.); don't = do not; you're = you are; they're = they are; I'm = I am; we'll = we will.
Important common pitfalls
- Its vs. it's: Its (no apostrophe) = possessive; it's (with apostrophe) = it is or it has.
- Example: The dog wagged its tail. It's been a long day.
- Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe: yours, hers, his, ours, theirs, its.
- Don't use an apostrophe to form regular plurals: apples (not apple's), 1990s (not 1990's). Exception: use an apostrophe to pluralize single letters for clarity — mind your p's and q's.
If you want, I can check a few sentences you have and mark where apostrophes are needed.