| What is the correct usage of the apostrophe? | | | | competitor's products |
| Quite a number of english speaking individuals do | | | | Note that: |
| not seem to know, as can be seen by the | | | | * In the plural the possessive apostrophe is placed |
| number of errors in shop signs and | | | | after the -s:the dogs' bone (more than one dog), |
| advertisements. Therefore follow some english | | | | the companies' policies (more than one company) |
| grammar basic rules worth knowing for english | | | | * An apostrophe is not used with "it": |
| translators or writers. Some of the worst culprits | | | | This is in its best interest |
| are supposedly greengrocers, thus the expression | | | | It is its best offer |
| the "greengrocer's apostrophe". Signs can often | | | | * What about names that end in -s? |
| be seen promoting juicy pear's, savory apple's or | | | | There is no hard and fast rule here. It is usual to |
| the best banana's . Greengrocers however are | | | | add -'s after the first -s, for example: |
| not the only ones to get it wrong. Here are a few | | | | Mr Jones's speech, St James's Street . |
| more real world examples of incorrect utilisation: | | | | However it has also become accepted practice to |
| Menu's printed. | | | | simply add an apostrophe (Dickens' novels). |
| New CD's just in. | | | | An apostrophe is NEVER used when the -s simply |
| Open Sunday's. | | | | signals the plural form of a noun! |
| Ideal for heaters, lighting, TV's, radio's and other | | | | Hence: the greengrocer sells "juicy pears, savory |
| appliances. | | | | apples and the best bananas ", and the other |
| There is now an association called The | | | | examples of wrong usage given at the beginning |
| Apostrophe Protection Society, established in 2001 | | | | of this article should read: |
| with the aim of hunting down examples of misuse | | | | Menus printed. |
| and reminding people of the rules for using | | | | New CDs just in. |
| apostrophes. | | | | Open Sundays. |
| Perhaps it is hardly surprising that foreign | | | | Ideal for heaters, lighting, TVs, radios and other |
| speakers have troubles with the apostrophe, if | | | | appliances. |
| the British or American can't get it right! | | | | One last point: be careful when using your and |
| So what is the rule? It's actually quite simple. | | | | you're. Confusion is easy, as they sound the |
| An apostrophe is to be used in two cases: | | | | same. |
| 1. to indicate omitted letters: | | | | Your is possessive: this is your car |
| I'm afraid I can't make the appointment ( I am | | | | You're is a contraction of "you are": you're right |
| afraid ... I cannot) | | | | about the schedule. |
| It's really quite true (it is) | | | | And beware - tracking down examples of |
| I don't know that story (I do not know) | | | | incorrectly used apostrophes can become quite |
| 2. to denote possession : the dog's bone, the | | | | habit-forming! |
| president's people, the company's policies, our | | | | |