How to Write Great Essays

THE APOSTROPHE
Apostrophes (’) are used to indicate ownership and to form contractions. Eight rules cover
all of the situations in which they may appear.
1. Add ’s to form the singular possessive, even when the noun ends in s:
The school’s lunchroom needs to be cleaned.
The drummer’s solo received a standing ovation.
Mr. Perkins’s persuasive essay was very convincing.
2. A few plurals not ending in s also form the possessive by adding ’s:
The children’s toys were found in every room of the house.
The line for the women’s restroom was too long.
Men’s shirts come in a variety of neck sizes.
3. Possessive plural nouns already ending in s need only the apostrophe added:
The customers’ access codes are confidential.
The students’ grades improved each semester.
The flight attendants’ uniforms were blue and white.
4. Indefinite pronouns show ownership by the addition of ’s:
Everyone’s hearts were in the right place.
Somebody’s dog was barking all night.
It was no one’s fault that we lost the game.
5. Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes, even though some may end in s:
Our car is up for sale.
Your garden is beautiful.
His handwriting is difficult to read.
6. Use an ’s to form the plurals of letters, figures, and numbers used as words, as
well as certain expressions of time and money. The expressions of time and
money do not indicate ownership in the usual sense:
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Mechanics  CHAPTER 4