Apostrophes
December 21, 2004
Here's the deal. Don't use an apostrophe to simply indicate a plural, whether the plural word is a common noun or a proper noun.
- Incorrect: I saw the Jones' today
- Correct: I saw the Joneses today
When it comes to pronouns, we don't use apostrophes—unless we're making a contraction, smooshing two words together.
- Incorrect: Is that your's or her's?
- Correct: Is that yours or hers?
- Incorrect: Its one of those dogs that has it's tail between it's legs
- Correct: It's one of those dogs that has its tail between its legs
Tip: Avoid using the contraction it's. Instead, use the pronoun its or spell out it is That way, you'll avoid the mistake. I hope.
Comments (19)
If I am saying someone's last name, however it's not possessive:
The Pettits enjoyed the view.
Do I use an apost.?
Thanks.
Aug 24, 2005 ; 2:15 PM
Hi Angie,
No, don't use an apostrophe when you are simply referring to more than one person named Pettit. "The Pettits enjoyed the view" is correct. If the last name is Pettit and you want to use the possessive form of the plural, it would look like this: "The Pettits' view was enjoyable."
Aug 24, 2005 ; 4:40 PM
My child needs to know the uses of apostorphy after the word. I don't know how to explain it to her. Can you please help us?
May 17, 2006 ; 7:49 PM
Amalia, I can try to help. Can you give me more information about what your child needs to know?
May 17, 2006 ; 8:24 PM
I have struggled with the proper pronunciation of my last name regarding possession and plural usage.
Is it the Curtises' or Curtis' home when refering to the home of my family? Such as "We are going to the Curtis' party". And if just refering to one of us, is it George Curtis' or George Curtis's book?
Jul 6, 2006 ; 11:11 AM
Hi George, you have a lot of company.
You would write:
- The Curtises' home is on our street
- George Curtis's book was a gift from the Queen of England.
Jul 10, 2006 ; 10:42 PM
How does one show the plural of an abbreviated noun? For example Network Operation Control Center = NOCC. When referring to multiple NOCCs, should there be an apostrophe? NOCC's... or just NOCCs? thank you
Dec 28, 2006 ; 12:54 PM
Hi Marsha,
The trend seems to be going towards not using an apostrophe unless omitting it would lead to ambiguity. For your example, I would write, "NOCCs."
It helps to use upper-case letters for the abbreviation. In web development, for example, we often refer to multiple DIV elements, which (to me, at least) looks clearer written as "DIVs" than as "divs."
Jan 4, 2007 ; 12:41 PM
Ok, what do I do with a hash mark when I want to write
PART #s
PART #'s
Which is correct?
May 1, 2007 ; 9:29 PM
I need some help. I am working at an ornament stand personalizing ornaments this year. Many people are getting family names on their ornaments and I want to write them correctly.
Example: Would I just write: The Smiths or The Smith's?
What do I do if the last name is Devans?
The Devans or The Devanses?
Help! I want to have proper apostrophes for these keepsakes! :)
Thanks.
Michele
Nov 15, 2007 ; 11:58 PM
Hi Michele,
You should write The Smiths and The Devanses.
Don't be surprised, though, if people question your judgment. Unfortunately, some don't know what to do with their own last names.
Nov 16, 2007 ; 1:32 AM
On the last name Klees do you use Klees' or Klees's when referring to?
Thank you.
Aj
Dec 9, 2007 ; 5:42 PM
John Klees is a fine young man.
John Klees's car is fast.
We are going to see the Kleeses tonight.
The Kleeses' house is the third one on the right.
Dec 9, 2007 ; 6:18 PM
I am so frustrated by the Christmas Cards this year!
I can't tell you how many cards came addressed to The Wood's or from The Wood's (for example). I've gotten so many that I'm beginning to doubt if I am actually in the right! Please tell me these cards should be addressed to The Woods or signed from The Woods. Is there any way that the previous could be correct? The Wood's what? The Wood's House? with House being understood?
Help!
Dec 19, 2007 ; 2:09 PM
Hi Dawn,
Is their last name Wood or Woods? The plural of Wood is Woods; the plural of Woods is Woodses. No apostrophes necessary.
Dec 19, 2007 ; 2:50 PM
I am ordering a engraved stone for my sister and her husband as a house warming gift. The last name is Mercurio. Does the stone read, The Mercurios, The Mercurios' or The Mercurio's?
Thanks!
Apr 18, 2008 ; 3:22 PM
This is one of those things that make me crazy. At craft fairs, stores, websites, and gift shops the trend to turn a surname into a possessive instead of pluralizing it is rampant. (Welcome to The Wilson's!!!) There are many websites that sell custom made family name signs with the apostrophe. Should we all mount an email suggestion to these retailers to stop perpetuating the error?
Aug 5, 2008 ; 6:27 PM
please what are the essential element for clarity of expression
May 20, 2005 ; 8:34 PM