How to Use Apostrophes

By David Lessem

Instructions

Step 1:
Use apostrophes to form contractions. Place the apostrophe in place of the letter you have removed. For example: is + not = isn't, they + are = they're, and here + is = here's.
Step 2:
Use apostrophes for nominal possession. They indicate that a person, animal or other entity owns something. For example: "This is David's article" or "A dog is a man's best friend."
Step 3:
Do not use apostrophes to indicate a plural in most circumstances. The sentence “The dog's went out to chase cats” is wrong, since it is talking about several dogs and not something possessed by a dog.
Step 4:
Use apostrophes for plurals if you are talking about an acronym, although it violates the general rule. For example, “I bought some new CD's and DVD's yesterday.”
Step 5:
Do not use apostrophes with possessive pronouns. “His' friend” is wrong, because “his” indicates possession by itself.

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