Lesson 5: Apostrophes and Hyphens

Definition

The possessive case of a noun shows ownership or possession.

Explanation

To show a singular noun owns something, you usually add an apostrophe and an s ('s). For singular nouns that already end in s, especially those with multiple syllables like Ulysses, you can add just an apostrophe if adding another 's' would make the word sound clumsy.

Examples

• That author's new book is a bestseller. [Author is a singular noun that does not end in s. An apostrophe and an s form the possessive.]
• We admired Mr. Williams’ antique globe. [Williams is a singular proper noun with two syllables ending in s. An apostrophe forms the possessive because adding another s would make the word awkward to pronounce.]

Definition

To form the possessive case of a plural noun that ends in s, add only the apostrophe. If the plural noun does not end in s, add an apostrophe and an s.

Explanation

This rule keeps possessives clear and easy to read. For regular plural nouns that already end in s, like “dogs” or “students,” just add an apostrophe at the very end. For irregular plural nouns that don't end in s, such as “mice” or “people,” add an apostrophe and an s.

Examples

• The players’ uniforms were covered in mud. [Players is a plural noun that ends in s, so an apostrophe alone is added.]
• The media center has a large selection of children’s books. [Children is a plural noun that does not end in s, so an apostrophe and an s are added.]

Definition

Never add an apostrophe to form the possessive case of a personal pronoun. To form the possessive of an indefinite pronoun, add an apostrophe and an s.

Explanation

Personal pronouns (like it, he, she, or they) have their own special possessive forms (its, his, her, their) that never get an apostrophe. Indefinite pronouns (like anybody, someone, or no one) are different and show possession by adding an apostrophe and an s.

Examples

• The dog wagged its tail happily. [The pronoun its is the possessive form of the pronoun it.]
• Is this someone's jacket on the floor? [The possessive case of the indefinite pronoun someone is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.]

Definition

Use an apostrophe to show where letters, numerals, or words have been omitted in a contraction.

Explanation

Contractions are verbal shortcuts, and the apostrophe marks the spot where letters have been dropped. It's crucial not to confuse contractions like it's (it is) and who's (who is) with their possessive pronoun twins, its and whose, which show ownership and don't use apostrophes.

Examples

• It's a beautiful day for a walk in the park. [It's is a contraction for It is.]
• Who's going to answer the phone? [Who's is a contraction for who is.]
• I think we'd better leave now. [we'd is a contraction for we had.]
• He graduated in '02. ['02 is a contraction for 2002.]

Definition

Use an apostrophe and an s to form plurals of lowercase letters, symbols, numerals, some uppercase letters, and some words referred to as words.

Explanation

This is a special rule to avoid confusion. Without an apostrophe, the plural of the letter 'i' (is) would be mistaken for a word. Using an apostrophe and an s ('s) makes it obvious that you are making a letter, number, symbol, or word-as-a-word plural.

Examples

• The word 'bookkeeper' has two o's, two k's, and two e's. [Without the apostrophe, the plural of o would look like the word 'os'.]
• My little brother is learning to write his ABC's.
• There are four 5's in my address.
• Her talk was filled with too many 'like's and 'um's.

Definition

Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a line.

Explanation

When a word is too long to fit on a line, use a hyphen to split it. You must divide words between syllables. Also, never divide a one-syllable word, and avoid leaving a single letter by itself. If a word is already hyphenated, like 'state-of-the-art', you should only divide it at the existing hyphen.

Examples

• The scientist presented her ground-break-

ing research at the conference. [A hyphen is used to divide the word groundbreaking at the end of the line.]

• After the race, the runners were completely exhaust-

ed. [A hyphen between syllables divides the word exhausted.]