When to use an apostrophe s in English. An apostrophe in English is a comma that changes the essence of a sentence.

What's kickin', everyone?! Today we continue to brutally eliminate doubts and add confidence to your knowledge regarding the English apostrophe: we will go over the basic rules for its placement in English, talk about the apostrophe in possessive nouns, in singular and plural nouns, in compound nouns, in numbers, etc. when it should not be used. Let us (let's) get to it!

If you put it that way, the apostrophe may be the most overused punctuation mark in the English language. It's funny, but if you take a quick look at US street signs, advertisements and store windows in some city areas, you might get the impression that not everyone understands how to use it correctly. It"s not an apostrophe - it"s a catastrophe!

What is an apostrophe in English?

Apostrophe is a superscript comma (").

Oh, this... insidious "comma on top"! It can sometimes become a big problem for English learners. Sometimes it becomes so difficult to immediately understand which side of the word to put it on. Let's find out!

The apostrophe performs only 2 functions:

• Indicates an abbreviation (letters or numbers).
• Shows affiliation.

Using an apostrophe to indicate ownership

• Put an apostrophe before « s"when something (someone) belongs to someone (something) and the owner is indicated in the singular.

a baby's toy;
Hannah's kitten;
a child's cry;
girl's doll;
boy's balls.

It doesn’t matter how many things the owner has (there is only one doll, but there are many balls). The only important thing is that the owner is indicated in the singular - a girl and a boy.

• And if there are already several owners (or something), then an apostrophe is placed after « s».

We'll take mine parents" car for a ride! - Let's go take my ancestors' car for a ride.
Your grandparents are yours parents" parents. Wow! - Your grandparents are your parents’ parents. Wow!
We're fighting for workers" rights. - We fight for workers' rights.
It's a ladies" fashion dream. - This is the dream of every fashionista.

Of course, there are also such atypical nouns, the plural of which is formed in a different way. In such cases, the apostrophe is placed in the same place as in the case of singular nouns, since such words do not end in “s”:

children's toys(toys for children);
women's magazine(magazine for women);
men's work(men's work);
people's lives(people's lives);
fish's tails(fish tails);
sheep's heads(sheep heads).

By the way, remember that “aircraft” in the plural will remain “aircraft”?

• We put between two« s" after singular names ending in "s".

In general there are 2 options here:

Charles" or Charles's book;
the octopus" tentacles or the octopus"s tentacles.

Both options are grammatically correct. However, based on the rules, the second one will be more correct, given that the noun “Charles” is singular. But the first one is easier :)

• Also, an apostrophe + “s” is used when the sentence talks about joint ownership of something. In this case, it is placed after the last name.

The man and woman's car was badly damaged. - The car of the man and woman was badly damaged.
We like Jade and Simon's new products. - We love Jade and Simon's new products (meaning that the new products were jointly invented by Jade and Simon).

And if it were " Jade's and Simon's new products”, then this would mean that they made/released completely different new products and not at all together.

The student's and the teacher's ideas were in conflict. - The ideas of the student and the teacher contradicted each other.

• If a compound noun belongs to another noun, add an apostrophe only to its last element.

My sister-in-law's love of shopping knows no limits. - My daughter-in-law’s passion for shopping knows no bounds.
The president-elect"s agenda proposed no major policy changes. - The new president's action program does not imply major policy shifts.

• If the noun belongs indefinite pronoun, then to him also is added apostrophe + "s".

Does anybody's key fit this lock? - Does anyone have a key to this lock?
Someone's car is parked in the loading zone. - Someone's car is parked in the loading zone.

• Apostrophe + "s" is added at the end of certain professions or positions to designate a place of work.

She"s on her way to the doctor's. - She's already on her way to the doctor.
He's at the hairdresser's. - He's at the hairdresser.
I'm gonna hit the butcher's on my way back. - I'll drop by the butcher shop on the way back.

The following examples of the use of apostrophe will also be interesting:

The text must go to the printer's(text must go to print).
Rates are lower than others companies"(rates are lower than other companies.

The apostrophe is placed here because the sentences refer to “the printer’s company” and “other companies’ rates” (the words “company” and “rates” are simply omitted).

• If the name is classical Greek, or if it is a historical figure or building, then an apostrophe is added only in special cases.

For example:

Dickens novels
St Giles Cathedral
Jesus" nativity
Moses" parting
Sophocles plays

• Apostrophe + "s" always used, when it comes to time periods.

For example, “one month"s holiday" (one month long holiday), "four hours" delay" (four hour delay).

Just remember that holidays refer to months (singular) and delays refer to hours (plural).

Using an apostrophe to shorten

So, the second function of the apostrophe is to replace letters or numbers in a word.

The use of the apostrophe in this function can be divided into several categories.

• Spoken English:

I"m= I am - I"m coming( am);
we're / they're= we are / they are - They"re joking ( are);
he's / she"s / it's= he is / she is / it is - It's growing ( is);
she"s / he's / it's= she has / he has / it has - He's got it ( has);
they"ve / we"ve= they have / we have - We"ve got smth to tell you (have);
had/would = "d;
shall/will = "ll;
not = n"t.

Don't(do not) forget to vote! - Don't forget to vote!
I"m(I am) so sick of this cold weather! - I'm so sick of this cold weather!
They"ve(they have) gone too far. - They've gone too far.
You'd(you had) better do that. - You'd better do it.
I"d(I would) do that for you. - I would do it for you.
I"ll be(I will/shall) there for you. - I'll be there for you.

Well, don’t forget about “ and»: « rock"n"roll», « salt"n"pepper».

• Special abbreviations

There is such a phrase as “ p"s and q"s" = "please" and "thank you" = manners or "your own business", your own life.

In this case, the apostrophe is used to form the plural form of the individual lowercase letters. All this is done to make it easier to read nouns and plural numbers.

Women curtsied and minded them p"s and q"s. - Women curtsied and did not poke their nose into other people's affairs.
His 2"s look a bit like 7"s. - His twos look a little like sevens.
She got straight A"s in her exams. - She got straight A's in her exams.

• When it comes to years and decades.

French students rioted in "68 (1968). - French students rioted in '68.
He worked as a school teacher during the "60s(1960s) and early "90s(1990s). - In the sixties and early nineties he worked as a teacher.

• In memory of an older version of the word

The apostrophe also indicates that original, from which the word came, once upon a time was longer, but over time it was simplified:

"cello- violoncello;
o"clock- a shortened form of the 18th century grammatical construction of the clock.

In literature, the apostrophe is often used to express something local dialect, for example, the speech of a typical Londoner.

«" ave you seen "em "Angin" around" here lately?" = “Have you seen them hanging around here lately?” -Have you noticed them hanging around here lately?

Although reductions are quite common in English and make your speech more natural and comfortable, they are best avoided in official documentation.

When not to use an apostrophe

The most common mistake is adding an apostrophe where it is not needed. We found apostrophes in the most amazing places... Below are pertinent tips to avoid confusion.

• Do not use an apostrophe in possessive pronouns: " whose», « ours», « yours», « his», « hers», « its" or " theirs».
• Do not use an apostrophe in plural nouns that are not possessive: " CDs», « 1000s" or " 1960s».

• Don't use an apostrophe in verbs. Sometimes it is declared in those ending in “s”: “ marks», « s ees", "finds".
• Sometimes people get confused reduction « it is» ( it's) and the possessive pronoun " its" It's not the same thing at all. Compare.

The dog pulled on its leash. - The dog pulled mine leash.
I just realized it's time to go! - I just realized - it's time to go!

• Also sometimes people confuse the possessive pronoun “ your" and abbreviation " you are» ( you're).

Don't forget your umbrella - Do not forget mine umbrella.
You"re the worst dancer I"ve ever seen. - You worst dancer I've ever seen.

• And besides, there is also " whose"(whose, "whose, "whose) and " who's"(who is). Same scenario as above.

Whose turn is it to take out the trash? - Whose turn to take out the trash?
I wonder who's going to play Hamlet. - Interesting, Who going to play Hamlet?

Conclusion

When in doubt about whether to use an apostrophe, think about the meaning of the word (or words).

Think about whether this noun belongs to something? Is the word divided into two separate ones in this abbreviation? This can help;)

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

If you don’t yet know in what cases an apostrophe is used in English, then this article is just for you. Here we will pay attention to everyone possible ways the use of an apostrophe, because sometimes even such a small thing can change the meaning of an entire sentence.

This little comma brings so many problems that even the British themselves are clutching their heads. An apostrophe is placed in two cases:

Ownership of the item;
to shorten;

Now let's pay attention to each individual case. So, if we are talking about the ownership of an object, at the end of the word being defined it is necessary to put an apostrophe + s ('s).

This is Tim's house. - This is Tim's house.
His brother’ bike is brand new. – His brother’s motorcycle is completely new.
It was Jeannie's idea. - It was Jenny's idea.
The girl’s toys were new and interesting. – The girl’s toys were new and interesting.

Note the apostrophe before the s and the apostrophe after the s.

An apostrophe is placed before s if we are talking about the singular. If the apostrophe comes after the s, then remember that this is a plural matter.

I bought several books and all the books’ covers were red. – I bought several books, and all the book covers were red.

I bought a book and book’s cover was red. – I bought a book, and the book cover was red.

My brothers’ jobs (my two brothers) were connected with advertising. – My brothers’ work was related to advertising.

My brother’s job was connected with advertising. – My brother’s work was related to advertising.

He found something and it was the eagle’s feather. “Oh, I found something, and it was an eagle feather.”

The author's books appeared in Mr. Smith's review article. – Author's books appeared in Mr. Smith's review article.

Please note if the singular word already ends in s, there are two options for the development of the situation:

Add apostrophe + s;
add an apostrophe.

Both options occur in English.

Mr. Williams's dog ate Chris's writing assignment. – Mr. Williamson’s dog ate Chris’s writing assignment.

Mr. Williams’ dog ate Chris’ writing assignment. – Mr. Williamson’s dog ate Chris’s writing assignment.

Add apostrophe to plural nouns to show that they are the owner:

Cats' tails are very long. -Cat tails are very long.

The Williams’ dog ate all the students’ writing assignment. – The Williamsons’ dog ate all the students’ written assignments.

In compound words and expressions, add an apostrophe + s

The basketball player’s performance was incredible. – The basketball player’s performance was amazing.

His father-in-law’s business is very successful. – My father-in-law’s business is very successful.

In the case of individual ownership of something, an apostrophe + s is added to each owner:

Dan's and Sharon's writing assignments are the best in the class. – Dan and Sharon's writing assignment is top of the class (two different assignments written by two different people).

When contracting two words are joined into one using an apostrophe:

You + are = you're
I + am = I'm
Will + not = won't
Did + not = didn’t
He + is = he's
He + has = he's
We + have = we've
Who + is = who's
Let + us = let's

The abbreviation replaces the archaic expression “ of the clock”.

Don't confuse " it is”, “it has" And " its" In the abbreviated version, the first two look exactly the same - it’s, the third expresses belonging. The difference between them is obvious:

“That noise? It's just the dog eating its bone" (What's that noise? It's a dog chewing on its bone)

Please note the following sentence:

The childrens ball fell into the two neighbor’s yard.

Do you think it is composed correctly or not? But no.

In the first part of the sentence you need to write children's(the ball belongs to the children), in the second part of the sentence there is also an error, because from the context it is clear that there are two neighbors in the yard, which means it must be neighbors' yard.

I hope you have understood the difficult topic of apostrophe in English. All that remains is to consolidate the knowledge in practice.

Endings -es and -s are quite common in English. Every English learner needs to understand the rules for using the above endings.

This article will help you quickly and easily understand the essence of this grammatical material. So, the ending -s can serve:

1) indicator 3 l. units part of the verb in;
2) sign;
3) an indicator of the possessive case in nouns;
4) reduction.

Rules for using endings -s/-es have their own specifics. In the affirmative form of a third party singular Most often, an ending is added to the verb -s, BUT after root bases on -sh, -ss, -o etc. (see rule below) we use the ending - es. For example,

Pass – passes;
Kiss – kisses;
Finish – finishes;
Wash – washes;
Do – does;
Go – goes.

Ending -s in Present Simple

We use the present simple to express regular actions or constant situations. Ending -s in third person singular h. (he, she, it) in English verb tense Present Simple should be added in cases where the subject matches the pronouns "he", "she" or "it".

Rules for writing verbs in the third person singular in the Present Simple

If the verb ends in –ss, sh, ch, x, o– then the ending is added -es .

I always wash up at home.
He always wash es up at home.

If the word has an ending to the consonant and the following one -y, then -y changes to -i plus is added -es .

I sometimes cry.
Baby sometimes cr ies.

If the last letter of the verb is a vowel -y, then it will only follow -s .

I often play with this toy ship in the afternoon.
Alla often play s with this toy ship in the afternoon.

Reading verb endings in the third person singular

Remember: In negative and interrogative forms where an auxiliary verb is used does(not), the main verb has no endings -s, -es .

Does she sing every day?
Ann doesn't go to that college.

Don't forget about the spelling of the verbs to have and . If these verbs are in the third person singular, then they change dramatically. This can be seen in the following examples:

Daddy has much money.
Jane is tired of doing numerous exercises.

Ending -s in nouns

Ending -s occurs not only in verbs, but also in nouns. In the case of nouns, similar endings, as a rule, occur in the plural or in the possessive case. If we are talking about people and animals in the possessive case, then we use ’ s in the case of one actor.

This is the girl’ s doll. – This is a girl’s doll.
The cat' s tail is long. - The cat's tail is long.

But should be used s' in case two or more are involved characters, people or animals.

These are the boys s' boots. - These are boys' boots.

In English there are exception nouns that create the possessive case in the following way:

Those are the men 's hats. - Those are men's hats.

For a complete list of such exceptions, see.

Abbreviations with 's

And finally 's can be not only an indicator of the possessive case, but also an abbreviation. For example:

it is = it's
that is = that's
let us = let's
How long has it been? = How long has it been?

Other abbreviations can be studied in more detail and.

There are several in English distinctive features. One of them is the apostrophe. This small sign sometimes becomes a big problem for students, as many people confuse when to put an apostrophe and when not to.

Today we will understand its use once and for all. In the article you will learn:

• using an apostrophe to indicate ownership

What is an apostrophe in English?

Apostrophe is a superscript comma (").

Although we don't use this sign in Russian, I think you've probably seen it. Many foreign names are abbreviated with an apostrophe. For example: d'Artognan instead of de Artognan.

The apostrophe in English is used in 2 cases that can be easily remembered:

1. To show ownership

2. To indicate a gap when abbreviating words

Let's look at each of these use cases in detail.

Using an apostrophe to indicate ownership

We use an apostrophe to show the identity of an object/person. To do this we just need to add "s to the word that names the owner.

To test ourselves, we can ask questions to such a word: whose?, whose?, whose?, whose?. For example: (whose?) Tom’s computer, (whose?) sister’s dress, (whose?) dog’s ball.

Examples of using apostrophe:

Give me Ann 's copybook.
Give me Anna's notebook.

This is my parent "s car.
This is my parents' car.

I took my friend 's phone.
I took a friend's phone.

Books lie on teacher ’ s desk.
The books are on the teacher's desk.

Hey his sister 's cookies.
He ate his sister's cookies.

When else is an apostrophe used in English?

There are also several nuances to this rule that you need to remember:

1. Owners are multiple people/animals.

In this case, to the word that denotes them (it will be plural), we simply add an apostrophe (") without the letter s . After all, we have already added the ending -s to such words to form the plural form (cat - cats - cats", girl - girls - girls", sister - sisters - sisters", friend - friends - friends").

However, if the word is not formed according to the rules (you can read about such exceptions), then we add "s:

2. Two owners

For example: mother and father, Tom and Peter, Mary and Jane.

There are two options for adding an apostrophe here.

• One item belongs to two people

We add "s to last word: mother and father's, Tom and Peter's, Mary and Jane's

Mother and father "s car stays in garage.
Mom and dad's car is in the garage. ( It's about about one car that belongs to two people)

Tom and Mary "s house is big.
Tom and Mary's house is big. (We are talking about the same house owned by both Tom and Mary)

• Each owner has his own item that belongs to him

We add "s to each word: mother"s and father"s, Tom"s and Peter"s, Mary"s and Jane"s

Mother "s and father "s cars stay in garage.
Mom and dad's cars are in the garage. (We are talking about two cars: one belongs to mom, the other to dad)

Tom 's and Mary "s houses are big.
Tom and Mary's houses are large. (We are talking about two different houses that have different owners)

Apostrophe with possessive pronouns in English

We don't add "s to possessive pronouns (her/hers, your/yours, their/theirs), despite the fact that they answer the questions: whose?, whose?, whose?.

Incorrect: She lost her "s pen.
Correct: She lost her pen.

Using an apostrophe to shorten English words

In English we can abbreviate some words. In such cases, we put an apostrophe (") in place of missing letters.

Here are the main accepted abbreviations:

I am = I"m
You are = you're
He is = he's
I have = I've
I would = I'd
I will = I'll
not = n't

Examples:

He's studying now.
He is studying now.

We're ready.
We are ready.

I"m calling him.
I call him.

They can't leave.
They can't leave.

I'll translate.
I will translate.

So, an apostrophe is a sign in the form of a superscript comma ("). It is used to show ownership or for abbreviation. Now let's practice using it in practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. This is my friends' wedding.
2. Take Tom's car.
3. This is my dog's ball.
4. We will live in her parents' house.
5. Bring Kate and Peter's laptops.
6. He ate Dasha's apple.
7. Peter's friends will arrive tomorrow.
8. John and Mary's phones are on the table.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

Bottom line.

Where is the apostrophe placed?

An apostrophe is placed at the end of a word; English beginners call it a top comma.
A comma, whether it’s an upper one or a lower one, changes everything. We have known it since childhood: Execution cannot be pardoned. In Russian, a comma changes its meaning.In English, an apostrophe only changes the quantity, but it changes everything!

The girl " s phone number - girl's phone number
one girl, the same one

Let's move the apostrophe one letter to the right, after -s":

The girls " phone number - girls phone number
many girls at once, a list

Not everyone will get her number, but their number is here, on the Internet on a pink background, call whenever you want.

This is how an apostrophe works in English. Its job is to form the possessive case animate noun. An apostrophe works either in pairs with the letter s, or alone. Let's see.

Forming the possessive case

1. Singular noun: apostrophe together with the letter s:

The exception is the pronoun it:
it - he, she, it + s without apostrophe = its - his, her.
Russia and its rules. - Russia and its rules.

If we see it's with an apostrophe, which means we see a non-possessive case: his her, and the abbreviation: it is- it is, or it has- it has.

2. Plural noun - one apostrophe, without the letter s:

				"
Who? - girls girls		whose bag? → girls girls "		girls bag girls " bag

There is no difference in pronunciation, it sounds the same. The difference is only visible in the letter:

girls - girls (who?)
gir ls"- girls (whose?)
girl's - girls, girls (whose?)

In English, all nouns are plural. numbers end in -s, usually. But there are exceptions to this rule, for example: man-men man - men, woman - women woman's woman. To such exceptions we add an apostrophe along with the letter s.

3. Apostrophe with -s:

The possessive case was formed. Now the letter -s at the end of a word must be pronounced correctly - depending on the letter that comes before it.

How to pronounce a word with an apostrophe - rules

Letter s after an apostrophe it is pronounced either voiced or voiceless, or like . Three options:

1. Loudly.
After a voiced consonant the letter s pronounced loudly [z] - girl's.
I have read the story "From one girl"s diary" by Chekhov. - I read Chekhov's story "From one girl's diary."

2. Deaf.
After a voiceless consonant the letter s pronounced dull [s] - cat "s.
Did you see the movie Cat's Eye? - Have you seen the movie " cat's eye»?
No! Why do people like horror movies? - No! I don't understand why people love horror movies?

3. Like /iz/.
After a hissing or whistling sound -
-s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -tch, -x, -z, -zz: horse’s, George’s.

Nimble English apostrophe - the result

Apostrophe - he's nimble. We see it before the letter s, then - after, but always with an animate noun.
Apostrophe before a letter s- this is a noun. in units number in possessive case: girl's day - girl's day.
Apostrophe after a letter s- this is a noun. in plural number in possessive case: girls" day - girls' day.
The apostrophe is before the letter again s- this is a noun. - exception in pluralnumber in possessive case: women's secrets - women's secrets.

In English, the apostrophe is also used for abbreviations:
it "s = it is - it is,
it "s = it has - it has.
But the apostrophe shows its nimble and reckless character only when forming the possessive case. Whose? Whose? Just add an apostrophe!