Global Utilities

Academic Language and Learning

Aposstrophe errors

Apostrophes are notoriously difficult to use correctly. There is even a website showing examples of ‘apostrophe abuse’ on signs from around the world:

However, once you know the rules, it’s really not that hard.

Apostrophes are used for two main reasons:


1. To denote a missing letter

 

When we put two short words together, we use an apostrophe to show that a letter is missing. It is not common to use these shortened forms in academic writing. Here are some examples.

full form
contraction
do not
don't
is not
isn't
you are
you're
it is
it's
we are
we're



We do not use an apostrophe to make an abbreviation or acronym (e.g. CD, USB, ATM) plural. Also, we do not use an apostrophe when making years plural. So,

 

Incorrect
Correct
CD's
CDs
USB's
USBs
ATM's
ATMs
1960's
1960s
90's
90s



2. To denote possession


Apostrophes are used to show possession or ownership of something, as in the following examples. Note that the apostrophe is placed after the ‘s’ if the noun is plural. We can also use pronouns in place of the noun. The table below contains some examples.

 

singular nouns, e.g.
pronouns
plural nouns e.g.
pronoun
The student's writing
his/her
The students' writing
their
The paper's references
its
The papers' references
their
The bee's knees
its
The bees' knees
their
The trekker's fitness
his/her
The trekkers' fitness
their



NOTE: We do not use apostrophes before an ‘s’ in plural nouns where there is no possession.

 

A point of confusion

The words that cause the most confusion when using apostrophes are it’s and its.

It’s – the apostrophe denotes a missing letter (i.e. short form of it is)
Its – is used to show possession but has no apostrophe (e.g. Its ears are big).

 

Content Approved by: Head of Language and Academic Skills
Page maintained by: Academic Language and Learning Lecturer
Last Updated: 15 November, 2010

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