1. SCUA The Society for the Correct Use of the Apostrophe
MOTTO
It’s seldom we see its proper use.

3. A Facebook Ad - October 2010

4. IS TV AT IT’S BEST

5. Sign on meeting/conference room door of Tryon Branch Library, Pensacola, FL

10. UWF Writing Lab Rules of Thumb for Possessives/Apostrophes
from
Real Good Grammar, Too
by Mamie Webb Hixon

11. First Rule of Thumb DO NOT use an apostrophe to make a noun plural
INCORRECT CORRECT
modem’s modems
cell phone’s cell phones
computer’s computers
Venetian blind’s Venetian blinds
the cleaner’s the cleaners
used textbook’s used textbooks
mortgage’s mortgages
policies’ policies
notebook’s notebooks
test result’s test results

12. Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

13. Use only an –s or –es to form the plural of a proper noun.
The Simpsons
Keeping up with the Joneses
the Kennedys
the Harrises
Several Johnsons, Smiths, and Lopezes in the city directory
Two Gladyses in my lit class
the two Justins
Six Grammys, five Oscars, and two Tonys

14. Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

15. Familiar apostrophe usage
Rosemary’s Baby
Charlie Wilson’s War
Hell’s Kitchen
Big Mama’s House
Grey’s Anatomy
A Knight’s Tale
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Murphy’s Law

16. Second Rule of Thumb: The apostrophe has three common uses.
In Contractions
Y’all (NOT Ya’ll) FOR You all
doesn’t FOR does not
School’s out! FOR School is out!
For Omissions
‘08 and ‘09
‘til the end of time
For Possessives
Charlie’s Angels
Charles’s hamster

17. What is a possessive?
A possessive is a word that uses an apostrophe to show ownership.
The two boys’ bikes
The turtle’s shell
My mother’s recipe
Tess’s scarf
California’s governor
My parents’ permission

18. What do possessives look like?
Possessives almost always have an apostrophe. This apostrophe usually replaces the prepositions of, by, with, or for.

19. Third Rule of Thumb Writers use the apostrophe to substitute for the preposition of, by, with, or for:
a doctor’s appointment (appointment with the doctor)
a week’s notice (notice of one week)
the children’s toys (toys for the children)
Presidents’ Day (Day for [two] Presidents)
the boss’s desk (desk of the boss)
Sophocles’ plays (plays by Sophocles)

20. What do possessives look like?
Sometimes an apostrophe is not used (e.g. possessive pronouns and plurals that do not show ownership).
theirs, NOT their’s
several countries, NOT several country’s

21. Business Apostrophes

22. Business Apostrophes

23. Business Apostrophes

24. Business Apostrophes

25. Business Apostrophes

26. Business Apostrophes

27. Do NOT use an apostrophe
For possessive pronouns:
its
whose
yours
theirs
ours
hers
For plurals:
The Simpsons
the Joneses
The Kennedys
dictionaries
bonuses
Two Hillarys in my class

28. How does someone make a noun possessive?
Some possessives require an apostrophe and an -s.
- Singular nouns: the mayor’s views (Exceptions include ancient proper names ending in –es and such expressions as for conscience’ sake.)
- Plural nouns that do not end in –s: children’s hospital
Some possessives require only an apostrophe.
- Plural nouns that end in –s: the Joneses’ van

29. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:
For singular nouns before plural nouns or other singular nouns: attorney’s fees, the book’s editor
For singular nouns ending in –s: Bill Gates’s computer OR Bill Gates’ computer (unless the pronunciation is distorted: Ulysses’ computer, NOT Ulysses’s computer)
For plural nouns not ending in –s: the people’s court, women’s rights
For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s (optional)
For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs (optional)

30. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:
For indefinite pronouns: nobody’s business
For joint ownership: Ted and Jane’s wedding
For individual ownership: Ted’s and Jane’s wedding rings
For compound singular nouns: the lieutenant governor’s staff
For compound plural nouns: my brothers-in-law’s jobs
Use students in class to help show joint versus individual ownership.

31. JOINT OWNERSHIP
The Diva and the Diplomat:
Aretha and Condi’s Duet

32. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:
For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degrees
For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s and A’s
For words used as words: too many wherefore’s in legalese
For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is), you’re (you are), they’re (they are)
Notice that these are not possessives.

33. Use only an apostrophe in these instances:
For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van, my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all instructors’ grades, the Beatles’ first hit, my two cents’ worth, the pundits’ opinions versus the experts’ opinions
To form the possessive of some singular nouns ending in –s: Jesus’ teachings, Sophocles’ plays, Keats’ poems OR Keats’s poems

34. What else should someone know about possessives?
When forming compound words and words that show joint possession, only the last word is made possessive (unless the second word is a possessive pronoun).
Mary Ann and Rebekah’s birthday party
Greg’s and my idea
A possessive noun or pronoun should be used when preceding a gerund.
I am tired of your making excuses.

35. Examples of a possessive noun or pronoun preceding a gerund:
my going to college
your coming to class
David’s leaving early
Philip’s being on time
your giving a report

36. Use the possessive case for some inanimate objects.
today’s paper
the university’s commencement speaker
your paper’s topic
her hair’s texture
the novel’s theme
the church’s mission statement

37. Omit the possessive in these instances:
computer monitor
sports page
civil rights movement
state government
special news report
a student rally and protest
humanities scholar
a Florida Gator
beach resorts
the Peter Principle

38. Omit the possessive in these instances:
animal shelter
insurance coverage
the O.J. Simpson trial
White House correspondent
senior citizen discount
UWF Honors Program
Arts and Sciences Council
the Bush administration
family reunion
new jobs report

39. Incorrect Possessive Omissions
Driving my momma car
Joyce brother graduation
Dr. Yeager class
Professor Smith class
My husbands job
My parents consent

40. Let’s Practice!!! -Notice the way the following possessives should be punctuated.
As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples complaints and requests.
…PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS…
Mr. Hill’s grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952 Ford at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue.
…GRANDSON’S 1952 FORD…
My three little girls favorite cartoon comes on very early Saturday morning.
…GIRLS’ FAVORITE…
A sale of childrens’ and mens’ Dingo boots doesn’t happen regularly.
…CHILDREN’S AND MEN’S…

41. Let’s Practice a Little More…
David’s and Kevin’s classroom is on the right at the end of the hall.
DAVID AND KEVIN’S…
Brent and Brian’s report cards were smudged and torn.
BRENT’S AND BRIAN’S…
The three musketeer’s swords are fine, fast, and fancy.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ SWORDS…
My sister-in-laws’ child-rearing practices leave much to be desired.
MY SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHILD-REARING…
My brother keeps his bachelors degree framed in his office.
…BACHELOR’S DEGREE…

42. Almost There…
On my last report card, I received two As, one B, and two Cs.
…A’s…C’s.
There are too many maybes in his report.
…MAYBE’S…
The hospital has four M.D.s on staff today.
…M.D.’s…
Whose your favorite actor in Hollywood?
WHO’S… (Note that this is not a possessive).
I am excited about you addressing the assembly.
…YOUR ADDRESSING…

43. Last Ones!!! Florida expects its’ students to speak and write well.
Ed drove the Harrises’ home from the Joneses party.
…HARRISES…JONESES’ PARTY.