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Writers often become confused when to use apostrophes and when not to use them.
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Bat Commas or Apostrophes
Apostrophes remind me of comma bats, commas that hang upside down. There are rules that decide where and when apostrophes are used.
Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples: don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession, unless the singular noun ends in an s, then place the apostrophe after the final s.
Examples: one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress' hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form.
Rule 3. Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example: This was his father's, not his, jacket.
Rule 4. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples: two boys' hats
two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books
Rule 5. Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples: We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.
Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example: my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe.
Example: my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples: Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed
next year. Indicates separate ownership.
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose.They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.
Examples:
Correct:
This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect:
Sincerely your's.
Rule 10. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples: It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 11. The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception: Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples: Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between her 6's and 0's.
You don't mean Os.
Rule 12. Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples: Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities
next Thursday.
Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun.
Examples: I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict.
Knowing where and when to use those bat commas is a matter of study and practice. |
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Feedback from Our Readers
Happy April 2024! 
You are so correct. Stories come in the strangest ways. My last one came from a power outage. I got an idea, wrote a little until nothing else came, then thought about it just before I went to sleep. Seeming magically, in the morning I was able to write a few more paragraphs and the plot developed. I love it when that happens. Great newsletter!
Thank you for sharing how you come up with one of your ideas.
sarahreed
Great tips and ideas on where to begin writing, which is one of the hardest parts for me. I find I work best of external inspiration. Sometimes I'll flip through a dictionary and write down random words. After about 10 or so, I stop and look at what I have. Sometimes, I get an idea from on or a few of them and begin writing it out.
I'm glad you like my ideas. Yours about using a dictionary is interesting.
monty31802
It is time again that I tell you that I read and learn from your newsletters in all the categories you write, Thanks Viv.
Thank you. I'm always glad to write something that helps.
walpole72
Very informative and some very useful tips. I look forward to the next letter.
I hope you enjoy this issue about apostrophes.
Colin Back on the Ghost Roads 
These are all excellent ideas for where to start, Vivian. Personally, I use some of them, and I also sometimes try writing the ending of the story first, then heading back to the beginning so I know where I'm going to end up. It helps me a lot.
I believe in doing anything that helps us write. Good idea.
Thank you for joining me this issue. Hope you'll be back again with me next month.
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For Authors: September 30, 2009 Issue [#3295]
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