What is the correct use of apostrophes?

Apostrophes primarily show possession (the dog's bone) or indicate omitted letters in contractions (it's for "it is"), and sometimes form the plural of lowercase letters/numbers (mind your p's and q's). For possession, add 's to most singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in s, but just an apostrophe (') to plural nouns ending in s (e.g., students' scores). Never use an apostrophe for possessive pronouns (his, hers, its, theirs) or standard noun plurals (e.g., cars, not car's).

What are the three rules for apostrophes?

The three main rules for apostrophes are to form possessives (showing ownership, like the dog's bone), create contractions (showing omitted letters, like it's for it is), and make certain plurals of lowercase letters (like mind your p's and q's). They are used for nouns, not usually for regular plural nouns or possessive pronouns (like its, hers, theirs).
 

Is it Lucas's or Lucas's?

Both Lucas's and Lucas' are generally considered correct for the possessive of Lucas, but style guides differ, with many modern ones recommending Lucas's, while some prefer just the apostrophe (Lucas') for names ending in 's' to avoid a triple 's' sound, making it a matter of preference or following a specific rule set like MLA. 

Is Chris's or Chris correct?

Both Chris's and Chris' are generally considered correct for showing possession, but style guides differ: Chicago Manual of Style prefers Chris's, matching speech, while AP Style (newspapers) uses Chris', adding only an apostrophe for singular names ending in 's'. For clarity and common usage, Chris's (with 's') is often preferred as it reflects pronunciation, but consistency with a chosen style guide (like AP or Chicago) is key. 

Which is correct, James's or James?

Both James's and James' are generally considered correct for showing possession, but James's (adding 's) is more common and often preferred in academic writing, while James' (just the apostrophe) is used by some style guides like AP, especially for classical names or when pronouncing the extra 's' feels awkward. The key is to pick one style and remain consistent. 

When to use apostrophes - Laura McClure

Is it Lopez's or Lopez's?

It's Lopez's for a single person (e.g., "Lopez's car"), and Lopezes' for the whole family (e.g., "The Lopezes' house"), but for singular names ending in 's', 'z', etc., some prefer just adding an apostrophe (Lopez') while most style guides accept adding 's (Lopez's), so being consistent is key. 

Is it Davis or Davis's?

For the name Davis, use Davises for the plural (the two people), Davis's (or Davis') for singular possession (belonging to one person), and Davises' for plural possession (belonging to the whole family). The simplest way for the plural family name is The Davises, while Davis's is a common singular possessive, though some prefer just Davis', and The Davises' is for the family's shared item. 

Is it the Smiths or the Smith's?

Use "The Smiths" (no apostrophe) for the plural family name (e.g., "The Smiths are coming over") and "The Smith's" (apostrophe before 's') only to show singular possession (e.g., "The Smith's car"). For plural possession, use "The Smiths'" (apostrophe after 's') (e.g., "The Smiths' house"). Don't use apostrophes on return addresses or general family greetings; it's for possession. 

How to do an apostrophe if a name ends in S?

If the noun is plural, or already ends in s, just add an apostrophe after the s. For names ending in s, you can either add an apostrophe + s, or just an apostrophe. The first option is more common.

Is it 'womens' or 'women's'?

Women's. Because 'women' is already plural, and is possessive. Ergo, you just add the apostrophe 's'. It would only be womens' if womens without the apostrophe was the plural of woman.

Which is correct, 70s or 70's?

For the decade, use 70s (no apostrophe before the 's') for the plural, or '70s (with an apostrophe before the 's') as a contraction for 1970s; avoid 70's, as apostrophes usually show possession or missing letters, not simple plurals, though The Chicago Manual of Style prefers the apostrophe for decades.
 

Which is correct, Marcus or Marcus's?

Both are correct, although “s's” is preferred. “Marcus's” would be a singular possessive, not a plural. “Marcuses” is plural but not possessive.

What is the possessive form of Jules?

Jules (possessive). The proper noun in the second example is plural, Juleses, but also possessive (their presentations) and requires the apostrophe, without “s”. The presentations in Ms. Jules' classes will start next week.

What is the most common mistake made using an apostrophe?

Mistake #1: Using apostrophes to make a word plural

It's not raining cat's and dog's, it's raining cats and dogs. Apostrophes are not typically used to make words plural. If you want to make a word plural, you usually just slap an s on the end of it and leave it at that. No apostrophe is needed.

Which is correct, Brutus or Brutus's?

In English, if it ends in 's', then there is an apostrophe after the 's' and that's it. Having something like St. Brutus's is incorrect grammar.

Does omitting 's change the meaning?

If you remove the "s," it would be grammatically incorrect, although the meaning is still technically there. This "s" is not to be confused with the way many plural nouns are formed (the dog likes treatS) or the "s" that gets added to show possession (the dog's leash is blue).

What are the most confusing apostrophe cases?

Writers often misuse apostrophes when forming plurals and possessives. The basic rule is quite simple: use the apostrophe to indicate possession, not a plural. Exceptions to the rule may seem confusing: hers has no apostrophe, and it's is not possessive.

Is it 'children's' or 'childrens'' toys?

But many irregular plural nouns like men, women and children, don't end in S. So they have a special rule: To form the possessive, you treat these plurals as if they were singular, adding an apostrophe plus an S: women's shoes, men's department, children's toys.

Is it Jones or Jones's?

Both Jones's and Jones' are used for singular possession (belonging to one Mr. Jones), with Jones's often preferred for clarity or by style guides like The Times, while Jones' is common in AP Style and for names ending in 's', but Joneses is the correct plural form (referring to the family), and Joneses' is the plural possessive (belonging to the whole family). 

Is it James or James's?

Both James's and James' are generally considered correct for showing possession, but James's (adding 's) is more common and often preferred in academic writing, while James' (just the apostrophe) is used by some style guides like AP, especially for classical names or when pronouncing the extra 's' feels awkward. The key is to pick one style and remain consistent. 

Is it Merry Christmas from the Smiths or Smith's?

“The Smiths,” not “The Smith's.” 🖊️You *would* use the possessive if you're inviting someone somewhere. Ex. “You're invited to John Smith's holiday party” or “You're invited to the Smiths' party.” The party belongs to you (you're in possession of it).

Is it Lewis or Lewis's?

Both Lewis's and Lewis' can be correct for showing possession, depending on the style guide and context; Lewis's (add 's) follows traditional rules for singular nouns, while Lewis' (add only ') is often used for proper names ending in 's', especially in journalistic/AP style, with many sources advising consistency in your chosen style. For pluralizing the family name, it's The Lewises, and the possessive is The Lewises', notes Reddit user. 

Should it be Lucas or Lucas's?

Both Lucas's and Lucas' are generally considered correct for the possessive of Lucas, but style guides differ, with many modern ones recommending Lucas's, while some prefer just the apostrophe (Lucas') for names ending in 's' to avoid a triple 's' sound, making it a matter of preference or following a specific rule set like MLA. 

How do you pluralize a family name that ends in s?

If the name ends in s, z, ch, or sh, you must add es. That means the Davis family becomes the Davises, the French family becomes the Frenches, the Hernandez family becomes the Hernandezes, and the Glaves family becomes the Glaveses. If the name ends in x, add es—unless the x is silent. In that case, add an s.

Which is correct, Thomas or Thomas's?

Both Thomas's and Thomas' are generally considered correct for showing possession from the singular name "Thomas," but Thomas's is more common, aligns with most modern style guides (like adding 's for singular possession), and sounds natural when pronounced ("Thomases"), while Thomas' (just the apostrophe) is also acceptable, especially for stylistic reasons or if the extra 's' feels awkward to say. For a plural "Thomases" (multiple people named Thomas), the possessive is Thomases' (add an apostrophe after the 's').