C7

Use apostrophes when needed.

 

 

Details

Incorrect Examples

Correct Examples

a) Use an apostrophe in a contraction. 

Its, ill, cant, were, or wont. 

it’s, I’ll, can’t, we’re, or won’t. 

b) When a noun is single, show possession by adding an apostrophe and S. 

A ducks bill

A dogs collar

A duck’s bill

A dog’s collar

c) When a noun is plural, show possession by adding an apostrophe after the S 

– but only if plural is made in the usual way, by adding S.

Two dogs collars

Two dog’s collars

Two dogs’ collars

d) If the noun is plural but it is made in some unusual way, just add an apostrophe and an S. 

 

 

Examples of nouns made plural in an unusual way would include those made in the Latin way: octopi, cacti, and data;

Cactuses’

Cactis

cacti’s

those made in the German way: men, women, and children, oxen;

mens

mens

men’s

and those that just don’t change at all: sheep and deer.

sheeps

sheeps

sheep’s