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bind="e66fdfcb-7ce6-973f-6b66-afd7420cb233" alt="" class="image-4 small-logo"></a> </div> </div> </div> <br/><br/><br/> <div bind="4ed9caa8-33b1-e729-3e27-6e80e5f2e821" class="headline wf-section"> <div bind="ae1442c7-1287-9788-d377-7e80f373539e" class="container w-container"> <div bind="64588acb-2f54-645e-ea7f-210cceaa7e54"> <div bind="8f7e1dc3-1ce5-2270-8f83-388a6574eb47" class="meta"><a href="/">Home</a> <span bind="44955286-94e1-f0df-3fe9-3d8d0adc68b2" class="text-span-2">/ <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/category/grammar/">Grammar</a></span><strong bind="21d1c0e0-3af2-7c85-cceb-9c05afc39ac9"></strong> <span bind="4e987073-f907-d2b6-3330-25e851cfc3a1" class="text-span">/ </span><time datetime="2022-10-02T13:43:39-05:00" itemprop="datePublished">October 2, 2022</time> </div> </div> <h1 bind="1cf8a8c4-0bfe-3c6e-04d1-2930cc854146" class="article-h1">The Apostrophe (Rules/Examples)</h1> <div bind="b4d36f25-3a5e-8c0b-ebc8-a80567a94714" class="featured-image-wrap"> <img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/stock-10-1-1024x622.png" height="auto" style="-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px;margin-bottom:40px;" alt="apostrophe" /> </div> </div> </div> <div bind="80e03a2d-a20f-6efc-c0d9-14bc49b22dd9" class="article-body wf-section"> <div bind="bc878838-ab40-9492-e3bd-2479e727ee0e" class="article-body"> <div bind="bc0209be-976e-1d43-38b0-3a9a8847699c" class="container w-container"> <div bind="085bf5dc-f87e-1752-2b64-0aa48fd35121" class="w-richtext"> <p>Trying <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/to-vs-too/">to</a> understand <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-vs-the/">the</a> apostrophe can get challenging. <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/there-their-theyre/">There</a> are many <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/grammar-rules/">grammar rules</a> that bind and break the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/use-vs-utilize/">use</a> of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-or-an/">an</a> apostrophe. Though, apostrophe’s are used in almost every paragraph. They help to display ownership, possession, and pluralization.</p> <p><em>Learn everything you need to know about the apostrophe in this comprehensive worksheet…</em></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="796" height="794" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-9.39.18-AM.png" alt="Apostrophe infographic" class="wp-image-3146" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-9.39.18-AM.png 796w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-9.39.18-AM-300x300.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-9.39.18-AM-768x766.png 768w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-9.39.18-AM-551x550.png 551w" sizes="(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Apostrophe infographic</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-an-apostrophe"></span>What is an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostrophe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apostrophes</a> are used as a kind of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation/">punctuation</a> in several languages. It is put into <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/used-to/">use to</a> demonstrate that one noun <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/has-vs-have/">has</a> another noun.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="apostrophe-definition"></span>Apostrophe definition<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>An apostrophe is a punctuation that can get used instead of a missing letter or letters in a <a href="https://erinwrightwriting.com/compound-possessive-pronoun-strings-or-who-owns-that-dog-anyway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contraction</a>. It demonstrates either the possession of letters or the lack of letters.</p> <p>For example, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200217-have-we-murdered-the-apostrophe#:~:text=It%20came%20from%20the%20Greek,%2C%20typically%2C%20an%20absent%20person." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apostrophe serves as a replacement</a> for the letters “w” and “i” in the contraction “we’ll,” <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-which/">which</a> stands for “we will.”</p> <p>It’s also possible to demonstrate possession, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-such-as/">such as</a> in the phrase “Sam’s bike.” It is clear from the apostrophe that Sam is the owner of the bike.</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Form</strong></td><td><strong>Definition</strong></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apostrophe">Apostrophe</a> (noun) /əˈpästrəfē/</td><td>a <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation-marks/">punctuation mark</a> ( ’ ) used to indicate either possession (e.g., <em>Harry’s book</em> ; <em>boys’ coats</em> ) or the omission of letters or <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/numbers-1-100/">numbers</a> (e.g., <em>can’t</em> ; <em>he’s</em> ; <em>class of ’99</em> ).</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-did-it-originate"></span>How did it originate?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The <a href="https://wmich.edu/writing/punctuation/apostrophe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apostrophe</a> most likely appeared for the first time in the early 16th century, either in 1509, in an Italian edition of Petrarch, or in 1529, courtesy of French printer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffroy_Tory">Geoffroy Tory</a>.</p> <p>Tory appears to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-have/">have</a> had a penchant for creating linguistic marks, as he is also credited with the invention of the accent and the cedilla.</p> <p>It <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/was-vs-were/">was</a> a rhetorical phrase used to describe when a speaker <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/would-vs-will/">would</a> turn from the audience to address an absent person before it was employed in a grammatical context.</p> <p>It originated in Greek and meant “the act of turning away.”</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Watch this as a video lesson</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-video aligncenter"><video controls src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Apostrophe-1.mp4"></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Click to watch the lesson.</figcaption></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="early-english-use"></span>Early English use<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><a href="https://www.delmar.edu/offices/swc/_resources/grammar/Apostrophes.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apostrophes</a> were introduced into English around the 16th century via French and Italian. The apostrophe was employed almost exclusively in place of several other letters.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/words-shakespeare-invented/">Shakespeare</a>, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Jane Austen are just a few of the numerous authors whose usage of apostrophes ranged widely from instance to instance.</p> <p>Additionally, there was either uncertainty or dispute from the very beginning of the implementation of this system.</p> <p>An illustration of this <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-can/">may</a> be found in Shakespeare’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_V_(play)">Henry V</a>:</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>“In cases of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/defence-vs-defense/">defense</a>, ’tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems.”</p> <cite>William Shakespeare</cite></blockquote> <p>The letter I in the word “it” has been replaced with our apostrophe here. Even though it is not used as frequently as it once was, the regulation about apostrophes is still in <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/affect-vs-effect/">effect</a> today.</p> <p>For instance, when the word “telephone” was originally reduced, it was written as ” ‘phone.” However, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/because-vs-since/">since</a> its use has become so widespread, it is now written as “phone” without the apostrophe.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="french-use"></span>French use<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>In <a href="https://frenchforenglishhindispeakers.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/lapostrophe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French, an apostrophe</a> is used to substitute a final vowel that is not sounded <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-because-a-conjunction/">because</a> the next word likewise starts with a vowel or a silent “h.”</p> <p>In English, this situation would be handled differently. Elision is the process of deleting a final vowel that is silent in a word.</p> <p>Elision is only possible in written <a href="https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-pronunciation/elision/#:~:text=The%20apostrophe%20in%20French%20is,a%20vowel%20was%20been%20dropped." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French</a> when using the following words: ce, je, ne, moi, te, se, le, la, de, que, and si (only when using “il” and “ils”).</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-does-an-apostrophe-do"></span>What does an apostrophe do?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>To indicate that a noun has something (possession or ownership), a small punctuation mark known as an <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/history-and-use-of-the-apostrophe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apostrophe</a> (‘) is added after the word in question.</p> <p>At the end of a noun owner (the possessor), the apostrophe is invariably positioned before or after the final letter s in the word. Always the noun word owner (relationship) will follow the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/i-e-vs-e-g/">item</a> it owns, which will often happen shortly after the owner (the word’s relationship to other surrounding words).</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Apostrophe for Possessives</strong></td><td><strong>Apostrophe for Contractions</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Amy’s swim class</td><td>they + have = they’ve</td></tr><tr><td>Karen’s car</td><td>are + not = aren’t</td></tr><tr><td>Robert’s vehicle</td><td>they + will = they’ll</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="general-grammar-rules-when-using-an-apostrophe"></span>General grammar rules (when using an apostrophe)<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The <a href="https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possessive singular noun</a> is made <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bye-vs-by/">by</a> adding an apostrophe and the letter <strong>“s”</strong> to the singular noun in question, regardless of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/weather-whether-wether/">whether</a> the singular noun ends in an <strong>“s”</strong> letter.</p> <p>When a <a href="https://www.untdallas.edu/learning/writing/grammar/apostrophes.php#:~:text=If%20the%20compound%20noun%20is,and%20then%20use%20the%20apostrophe.&text=Use%20the%20apostrophe%20%2B%20s%20after,an%20apostrophe%20after%20each%20name.&text=Never%20use%20an%20apostrophe%20with,%2C%20ours%2C%20yours%2C%20whose." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plural noun</a> has an <strong>“s”</strong> at the end, the possessive form of the noun is created by simply adding an apostrophe. When the noun ends in any other letter, the possessive form is made by adding both an apostrophe and an “s.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Form</strong></td><td><strong>Example</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Singular noun</td><td>Sarah’s</td></tr><tr><td>Plural noun</td><td>Women’s</td></tr><tr><td>2 or more people</td><td>Kim and Adam’s</td></tr><tr><td>Singular noun ending in “s”</td><td>James’s and <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/james-or-jamess/">James’</a></td></tr><tr><td>Plural noun ending in “s”</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parents-plura/">Parent’s</a></td></tr><tr><td>2+ people</td><td>Kim’s and Adam’s</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="basic-rule-singular-nouns"></span>Basic rule (singular nouns)<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When referring to anything that belongs to another item or person, <a href="https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/apostrophe-rules.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apostrophes are the punctuation mark</a> a writer would use.</p> <p>Simply adding an <strong>‘s”</strong> letter to the end of a single noun will show that it is in possession of something. This is true for names and other types of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">proper nouns</a> as well.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sonia’s book</li> <li>Sania’s favorite band</li> <li>Mother’s famous recipe</li> </ul> <p>It is recommended, but not obligatory, to add a second “s” to the end of names that finish in “s” or have an “s” sound when forming possessive forms of those names.</p> <p>More on this as we continue.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="basic-rule-compound-nouns"></span>Basic rule (compound nouns)<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>To indicate the <a href="https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/apostrophes/#:~:text=pronouns%20vs%20contractions-,Possessive%20apostrophes%20with%20singular%20nouns,names%20and%20other%20proper%20nouns." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possession of a single compound noun</a>, append an apostrophe and the letter <strong>“s”</strong> to the end of the word.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Example:</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>My mother-in-law’s shawl was left with <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/me-vs-myself/">me</a>.</li> <li>My brother-in-law’s girlfriend is coming home next week.</li> </ul> <p>If the compound word in question has more than one instance, write the plural version before using the apostrophe.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Example:</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>My sisters-in-law’s holiday will begin soon.</li> <li>My brothers-in-law’s new phone is coming home next week.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="joint-or-separate-possession"></span>Joint or separate possession<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Apostrophes get used to indicate ownership of a piece of text (<a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-a-sentence/">sentence</a>).</p> <p>When two or more subjects make up a compound <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-of-a-sentence/">subject</a>, those subjects can have either <a href="https://www.grammarflip.com/curriculum/apostrophes-individual-vs-joint" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">separate or joint ownership </a>of the thing being possessed.</p> <p>The use of a single apostrophe on the last subject denotes shared ownership, which implies that all of the components of the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-subject/">compound subject</a> are the proprietors of the item.</p> <p>They have separate ownership when each member of the compound subject has its own apostrophe. This indicates that each member of the compound subject is in possession of its own object when the apostrophe is present.</p> <p>The following are some examples of joint ownership:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sarah and Prim’s parents are both teachers at school.</li> <li>Safiya and Tyler’s wedding will be hosted by Wedding101 company.</li> </ul> <p>The following are some examples of individual ownership:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sarah’s and Prim’s <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/how-do-you-spell-fathers/">fathers</a> are both teachers.</li> <li>Fatima’s and Noor’s neighborhood is having an art competition next week.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-other-punctuation-compounds-with-pronouns"></span>With other punctuation, compounds with pronouns<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Compound possessives, also known as joint possessives, are formed when two or more <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">nouns</a> (often names) co-own something. This results in the sharing of ownership.</p> <p>Compound possessives can also be made up of one or more pronouns in place of the noun or nouns they originally referred to.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples:</h4> <p>Possessive form of a <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-noun/">compound noun</a>:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Luna and Harry’s exam room is on the second floor.</li> </ul> <p>Combination of a Possessive Compound with a Pronoun:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Luna’s and his room are on the second floor.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="time-and-money-use"></span>Time and money use<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><strong>Time</strong></p> <p>In <a href="https://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/apostrophes_in_time_(temporal)_expressions.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">terms of relating to time</a>, the apostrophe is often utilized. These apostrophe’s that get used part of what is called “<a href="http://projects.csail.mit.edu/workbench/update/guides/03%20-%20Temporal%20Expressions_v2.0.1.pdf">temporal expressions.</a>“</p> <p>The apostrophe should come before the “s” if the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/when-to-use-periods/">period</a> of time being discussed is singular:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>a day’s work</li> <li>a week’s holiday</li> <li>a month’s food</li> </ul> <p>The apostrophe should get added after the letter “s” if the duration of time being discussed is plural:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>two months’ notice period</li> <li>five years’ contract</li> <li>seven weeks’ diet plan</li> </ul> <p><strong>Money</strong></p> <p>In phrases referring to money, the apostrophe is often required (because there are many amounts).</p> <p>Example:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>dollar’s pen</li> <li>five pound’s worth of cake</li> </ul> <p>Refer to the table below to understand a temporal expression in more detail.</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Form</strong></td><td><strong>Definition</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Temporal Expression</td><td>A temporal expression a some sequence of words that tell us when something happened (1), how long something lasted (2), or how often something occurs (3). Temporal expressions may be calendar <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/how-to-write-dates/">dates</a>, times of day, or durations, such as periods of hours, days, or even centuries. (<a href="http://projects.csail.mit.edu/workbench/update/guides/03%20-%20Temporal%20Expressions_v2.0.1.pdf">MIT</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="possessive-pronouns-and-adjectives"></span>Possessive pronouns and adjectives<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Remember that <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective/">adjectives</a> and <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-pronouns/">possessive pronouns</a> like: “such as his, ours, hers, yours, its, theirs, and whose” don’t require an apostrophe.</p> <p>Every other pronoun’s possessive form is followed by the apostrophe and an “s” letter.</p> <p>In singular forms, such as “one’s, everyone’s, nobody else’s, somebody’s, etc.” the apostrophe comes before the “s” letter. But in plural forms, it comes after the “s,” exactly like it does with nouns: the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/others-plural/">others’</a> objections.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="disambiguation"></span>Disambiguation<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The following four <a href="https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/apostrophe.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expressions</a> each have their own unique meaning:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>My friend’s boyfriend’s car (the car of the boyfriend of my friend)</li> <li>My husband’s relatives’ <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/apartment-or-appartment/">apartment</a> (the apartment of many relatives of my husband)</li> <li>My brothers’ friend’s car (the car of the friend of many of my brothers)</li> <li>My brothers’ friends’ car (the car of many friends of many of my brothers)</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="use-in-singular-nouns-ending-with-an-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d-or-%e2%80%9cz%e2%80%9d-sound"></span>Use in singular nouns ending with an “s” or “z” sound<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Some <a href="https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/how-do-you-use-an-apostrophe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single nouns have an s or z</a> added to the end of their pronunciation to indicate the sibilant sound.</p> <p>These words are <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/spelt-or-spelled/">spelled</a> with -s, -se, -z, -ze, -ce, -x, or -xe at the end of the word.</p> <p>All singular nouns, such as those whose last sound is a sibilant, have possessive forms that include an additional “s” after the apostrophe.</p> <p>This is done to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ensure-vs-insure/">ensure</a> that the spelling accurately mirrors the underlying articulation of the word. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC</a>, Oxford University Press, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLA_style_manual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The </a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLA_style_manual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modern Language Association</a>, and The Economist are just a few examples of such <a href="https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/apostrophes-in-business-names-and-place-names/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organizations</a>.</p> <p>These types of authority need the use of possessive singulars like “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Tony Adams’s acquaintance,” and “my boss’s work.”</p> <p>Even though it is becoming <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/less-vs-fewer/">less</a> popular, some modern authors still adhere to the ancient practice of missing the second “s” in all situations that finish with a <em>sibilant</em>. However, this isn’t as frequent when the word is spelled with the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/suffix/">suffixes</a> -x or -xe.</p> <p>Some modern sources, such as the Associated Press Stylebook, offer or permit the procedure of deleting the extra “s” in all words that finish with an “s.” But this isn’t acceptable for words that end with other sibilants (“z” and “x”).</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="example-sentences"></span>Example sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Bridget Jones’s diary is still very famous among readers.</li> <li>My boss’s job is very tough and demanding.</li> <li>US’s economy is getting stronger by the day.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="use-in-nouns-ending-with-silent-s-x-or-z"></span>Use in nouns ending with silent s, x, or z<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The English possessive of French nouns that end in a silent s, x, or z is covered in several style guides (APA, MLA, and Chicago Style).</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Style guide</strong></td><td><strong>Apostrophe rule</strong></td></tr><tr><td>CMOS <em>(The Chicago Manual of Style)</em></td><td>add apostrophe + s to the singular form of the word, even if it ends in “s.” <em>Does not suggest adding an apostrophe in a word that ends in “s.”</em></td></tr><tr><td>APA</td><td>adding an apostrophe to the end of a word that ends in “s.”</td></tr><tr><td>MLA</td><td>add apostrophe + s to the singular form of the word, even if it ends in “s.” <em>Does not suggest adding an apostrophe in a word that ends in “s.”</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>There is no dispute that a sibilant is articulated in examples such as Descartes’ and Dumas’; the problem is deciding whether the letter “s” should get added or excluded.</p> <p>For possessive plurals of nouns ending in a silent x, z, or s, the few sources that discuss the matter often ask for an extra “s” and propose that the apostrophe forego the s: The Fox’s homeland is in the Jungle.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="example-sentences-2"></span>Example sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Illinois’s food is one of the best I have ever had.</li> <li>I would love to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-visit/">visit</a> Arkansas’s water park.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="use-of-possessives-in-geographic-names"></span>Use of possessives in geographic names<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The possessive form of the mark is not used for place names (i.e., a destination) anywhere in the United States, even on official maps and signage.</p> <p>Since 1890, the US Board on Geographic Names, responsible for formally naming metropolia and geographic segments, has discouraged the use of possessive apostrophes.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="473" height="334" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.46-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-1984" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.46-PM.png 473w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.46-PM-300x212.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <p>This was done so that the apostrophe would not get misunderstood as an indication of possession.</p> <p>Martha’s Vineyard, Ike’s Point in New Jersey, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/john-and-i-or-john-and-me/">John</a> E’s Pond in Rhode Island, Carlos Elmer’s Joshua View in Arizona, and Clark’s Mountain in Oregon are the only five natural features in the United States. The names of the latter are spelled officially with a genitive apostrophe.</p> <p>In compliance with this policy, the apostrophe was eliminated from the names of several communities that were first formed with the use of the apostrophe; for example, the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/village-vs-town/">city</a> of Taylors Falls in Minnesota was initially embodied as “Taylor’s Falls.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/base-form/">Base form</a></strong></td><td><strong>Use of apostrophe example</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Was not</td><td>Wasn’t</td></tr><tr><td>When is</td><td>When’s</td></tr><tr><td>She had</td><td>She’d</td></tr><tr><td>Has not</td><td>Hasn’t</td></tr><tr><td>We are</td><td>We’re</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>In addition, the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping of Australia adheres to a no-apostrophe policy, which is a practice that, according to the committee, dates back to the 1900s and is typically observed throughout the country.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/then-vs-than/">Then</a>, the United Kingdom contains Bishop’s Castle, Bishop’s Stortford, King’s Lynn, St. Andrews, St. Albans, and St. Helens.</p> <p>There are many additional cities in the United Kingdom. The Piccadilly line of the London Underground features Earl’s Court stations in both Earl’s Court and Barons Court, which are located close to one another.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="example-sentences-3"></span>Example sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>I would love to visit Creeks trail.</li> <li>She has gone to Arches National Park.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="use-of-possessives-in-names-of-organizations"></span>Use of possessives in names of organizations<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Although it is typically accepted to include an apostrophe in the names of clubs, societies, and other types of organizations, this punctuation mark is occasionally left off.</p> <p>The use varies widely and <strong>is not</strong> consistent. Style guidelines typically recommend contacting an authoritative source for the conventional structure of the term. <em>(Confusing, right?)</em></p> <p>Some style guides trend <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/toward-or-towards/">toward</a> stronger prescriptiveness, either for or in opposition to such an apostrophe.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="example-sentences-4"></span>Example sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>International Womens Association for Aviation</li> <li>Dunnes Store has a massive discount.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="use-in-forming-plurals"></span>Use in forming plurals<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>After undergoing a shift in usage during the 20th century, the apostrophe of plurality survives in several contexts today.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="abbreviations"></span>Abbreviations<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Nowadays, it is popular to use an “s” without an apostrophe when writing abbreviations, including acronyms, instead of using an apostrophe when writing an “s.”</p> <p>Most contemporary style standards recommend avoiding using apostrophes in any kind of plural abbreviation.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="473" height="326" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.58-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-1985" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.58-PM.png 473w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.37.58-PM-300x207.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <p>Some sources still allow their usage and even promote the use of some abbreviations, while others condemn it.</p> <p>The V.I.P.’s, VIP’s, and VIPs are all tolerated similarly by the Oxford Companion to the English Language.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The G.M.’s final rule was acceptable to all.</li> <li>The M.D.’s absence raised many questions.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="letters-of-the-alphabet-and-small-words"></span>Letters of the alphabet and small words<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is customary to use the apostrophe to indicate pluralization for single lowercase characters. <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/alot-vs-a-lot/">A lot</a> of manuals recommend the use of apostrophes, regardless of whether the individual letters are capitalized or not.</p> <p>Only lowercase letters are recommended for use with the apostrophe of plurality in the Chicago Manual of Style.</p> <p>The simple addition of an “s” rather than an apostrophe <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-might/">might</a> leave the meaning unclear and the presentation clumsy when added to a sentence. However, an apostrophe is not necessarily the best option in every situation.</p> <p>Italics should get used in place of an apostrophe when writing in APA style; examples include p<em>s</em>, n<em>s</em>, and so on.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>She gave me the rule book of all dont’s.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="numbers-and-symbols"></span>Numbers and symbols<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The Oxford Companion to the English Language observes that “a plural s following a sequence of numerals is commonly followed by an apostrophe, as in 3’s and 4’s, but many people now favor 3s and 4s.” </p> <p>Most style guidelines recommend leaving off the apostrophe when referring to groups of years (such as the 1980s—centuries and decades), and they recommend using 90s or ’90s rather than 90’s or ’90s.</p> <p>These same style guidelines recommend against using an apostrophe in any numbers or dates; nevertheless, many other style guides either recommend using an apostrophe for numbers or have conflicting opinions on the topic.</p> <p>Still, some manuals adopt a policy of leaving things up to chance. For instance, the online guidance provided by the University of Sussex states that there is geographical diversity in the usage of apostrophes in dates.</p> <p>The <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/advise-vs-advice/">advice</a> condones the use of 1s and 7s as well as 1’s and 7’s, but favors the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/former-vs-latter/">former</a>.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>She lived in this house in the 1990s.</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-family-names"></span>With family names<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Most English sources produced after the middle of the 20th century consider using apostrophes in family-name <strong>plurals</strong> to be <em>erroneous (as in not great).</em></p> <p>For instance, Joneses is considered to be proper, but Jones’s is considered incorrect.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="302" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.41.54-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-1987" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.41.54-PM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.41.54-PM-300x191.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The Smiths will come back on <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/are-days-of-the-week-capitalized/">Friday</a>.</li> <li>The Johnsons home is getting a makeover.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="10-common-mistakes-when-using-an-apostrophe"></span>10 common mistakes when using an apostrophe<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here are ten common mistakes when using the apostrophe:</p> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>With Plurals </li> <li>With Pronouns </li> <li>With Shared Possession </li> <li>With the Possessive Form of a Surname </li> <li>With the Plural Form of an Abbreviation </li> <li>With the Plural Form of a Numeral</li> <li>With a Span of Years </li> <li>With the Plural Form of a Word Used as a Word </li> <li>With the Plural Form of a Letter Used as a Letter </li> <li>With Brand Name</li> </ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-plurals"></span>With Plurals <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is a common mistake to write the plural form of a word with an apostrophe before the letter s that indicates the plural form. One example of this would be writing taxi’s instead of taxis.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-pronouns"></span>With Pronouns <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Only in the case of contracted forms of pronouns (for example, he’s), an apostrophe and a s are used after the pronoun. There is never an apostrophe after possessive pronouns such as “theirs” or “yours,” for example.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-shared-possession"></span>With Shared Possession <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The possessive form of each name should be used whenever two or more individuals or other entities are portrayed as jointly or individually possessing something.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-the-possessive-form-of-a-surname-last-name"></span>With the Possessive Form of a Surname (Last Name)<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is inappropriate to write “The Brown’s house” on the shingle that is affixed to your neighbor’s front porch unless your neighbor’s given name is “the Brown.” The name of the Brown family’s home should be written on a sign as “The Browns’ house” (or just “The Browns”) to identify it correctly.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-the-plural-form-of-an-abbreviation"></span>With the Plural Form of an Abbreviation <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When using plural forms of abbreviations, the apostrophe is not necessary. For example, you may write “They disarmed or detonated many IEDs” (not “IEDs”) in your text.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-the-plural-form-of-a-numeral"></span>With the Plural Form of a Numeral<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>For example, “The 90s” and “The 90’s.”</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-a-span-of-years"></span>With a Span of Years <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>In the highly uncommon circumstance of denoting more than one instance of a digit, an apostrophe should not get used. For example, “Write three 7s on a piece of paper” (not 7’s).</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-the-plural-form-of-a-word-used-as-a-word"></span>With the Plural Form of a Word Used as a Word <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Some periodicals continue to use an apostrophe when referring to a range of years, even though this form has become archaic. For example, “1950s-1980s.” This is the correct form instead of “1950’s-1980s.”</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-the-plural-form-of-a-letter-used-as-a-letter"></span>With the Plural Form of a Letter Used as a Letter<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Apostrophes should not get used for the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">conjunctions</a> in the sentence “There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”</p> <p>Or for the counterpoints in the sentence “A handy list of dos and don’ts follows.” (Keep in mind that the inherent apostrophe should be left in place in the plural version of don’t).</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="with-brand-names"></span>With Brand Names<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Even when the letter is emphasized (using <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/capitalization-rules/">capitalization</a>), it still appears odd just to write a “s” next to it to signify plurality; hence, you need to attach an apostrophe: “How many m’s do you spell hmm with?” (Follow this rule even when italicization isn’t required, like in the case of the statement “Mind your p’s and q’s,” for example.)</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="473" height="360" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.38.10-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-1986" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.38.10-PM.png 473w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.38.10-PM-300x228.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="10-ways-to-learn-how-to-use-the-apostrophe-correctly"></span>10 ways to learn how to use the apostrophe correctly<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here are ten exercises to try to try out to help you understand the apostrophe better:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Use an Apostrophe to Create Contractions</li> <li>Use an Apostrophe to Shorten Other Words</li> <li>Use Apostrophe + “S” With Nouns That Don’t End in “S”</li> <li>Use an Apostrophe With Plural Nouns That Are Singular In Meaning</li> <li>Use Only an Apostrophe With Plural Nouns That End in “S”</li> <li>Use an Apostrophe With Singular Nouns That End in “S” (Sometimes)</li> <li>Use an Apostrophe When Two Nouns Own Something</li> <li>Use an Apostrophe For <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a></li> <li>Use an Apostrophe For Compound Nouns</li> </ul> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>It’s his first birthday next week.</li> <li>The sailor’s uniform was wet after the storm.</li> <li>James’ house is right around the corner.</li> <li>Sherry and Shelly’s mother will be present.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="apostrophe-rules"></span>Apostrophe rules<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>The apostrophe gets used to show <strong>ownership</strong> of something<strong> single</strong>.</li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/puting-or-putting/">Putting</a> an apostrophe in a word to signify that it belongs to more than one person.</li> <li>To indicate possession of a single compound noun (such as mother-in-law), add an apostrophe and a s to the end of the word.</li> <li>When using a contraction, the apostrophe should be used. After a letter or letters have been deleted, the apostrophe should be inserted into the space left behind.</li> <li>Several other ways to form plurals include abbreviations, single characters, and numerical representations.</li> <li>There are several instances in which periods of time or sums of money are employed as <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-adjective/">possessive adjectives</a>, which require the use of apostrophes.</li> <li>It is not appropriate to use an apostrophe with the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">personal pronouns</a> hers, ours, yours, theirs, theirs, its, whose, or the pronoun oneself.</li> <li>Be careful not to confuse an apostrophe with a single <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/quotation-marks/">quotation mark</a> (‘) when using an apostrophe before a word or number. An apostrophe should be written as (‘), not (‘).</li> <li>Be on the lookout for spurious possessives, which frequently crop up with nouns that end in s. It is not necessary to include an apostrophe after noun-derived adjectives that finish in “s.” In-depth examination is the most helpful kind of navigation.</li> </ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="when-to-use-an-apostrophe"></span>When to use an apostrophe<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The apostrophe can get utilized in three ways: first, it can produce <strong><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">possessive nouns</a>.</strong></p> <p>Second, it can get used to indicate the <strong>omission of letters.</strong></p> <p>And third, it can get used to <strong>denote plurals of letters, numerals, and symbols.</strong></p> <p>It is improper to employ apostrophes in the formation of<a href="https://languagetool.org/insights/post/possessive-apostrophe/#:~:text=Even%20if%20you%20have%20a,not%20ending%20in%20these%20sounds." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> possessive pronouns</a> or to form noun plurals that are <em>not possessive.</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-using-the-apostrophe-before-or-after-the-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d"></span>Understanding using the apostrophe before or after the “S”<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>If the word’s <a href="https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/apostrophes/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plural is made by adding an “s”</a> to it (for example, cats), then the apostrophe should <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-the-past-participle-of-go/">go</a> after the “s.”</p> <p>When forming the plural version of a word that does not require the addition of an “s” (for example, children), use the apostrophe “s” (‘s) as you would with the single form.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples"></span>Examples<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The cat’s hair was all over my dress.</li> <li>The cats’ tree house fell.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-using-the-apostrophe-after-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d-in-names"></span>Understanding using the apostrophe after “S” in names<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Like when referring to last names (surnames) or people.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="where-do-you-put-an-apostrophe-after-a-last-name"></span>Where do you put an apostrophe after a last name?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When referring to an individual, use an apostrophe followed by a period after the s. When referring to a plural, use simply the apostrophe.</p> <p>You have the option of using simply the apostrophe or the’s when the last letter of a family name is an “s” or “z.”</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Examples</h4> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Brett’s car was in the wrong parking area.</li> <li>The Warnes’ car was parked a long way from home.</li> </ul> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="849" height="330" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.33.03-PM.png" alt="apostrophe chart" class="wp-image-1983" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.33.03-PM.png 849w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.33.03-PM-300x117.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.33.03-PM-768x299.png 768w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-02-at-1.33.03-PM-800x311.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Apostrophe chart</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="more-punctuation-marks-all-26-marks"></span>More punctuation marks (all 26 marks)<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Symbol</strong></td><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Example</strong></td></tr><tr><td>.</td><td>Period</td><td>I <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/got-or-gotten/">got</a> this at the fair.</td></tr><tr><td>?</td><td>Question mark</td><td>How many trucks does he have?</td></tr><tr><td>!</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/exclamation-mark/">Exclamation point</a></td><td>Wow! You’re a great rider.</td></tr><tr><td>,</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxford-comma-serial-comma/">Comma</a></td><td>I like the movie, but the color grading is odd to me.</td></tr><tr><td>:</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/do-you-capitalize-after-a-colon/">Colon</a></td><td>Here are some <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-funner-a-word/">fun</a> ideas for the party: trivia questions, shuffle board, and more.</td></tr><tr><td>;</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/semicolon/">Semicolon</a></td><td>I’ll visit you once I’m done with work; that’s a promise.</td></tr><tr><td>–</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/hyphen/">Hyphen</a></td><td>I have double-life situations.</td></tr><tr><td>–</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/en-dash/">En dash</a></td><td>How long is a China-Russia fight?</td></tr><tr><td>—</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/em-dash-vs-en-dash/">Em dash</a></td><td>The dog—and I’m afraid of four-legged animals—was so adorable.</td></tr><tr><td>( )</td><td>Parentheses</td><td>His favorite team (Chicago Bulls) has a chance to win the title. </td></tr><tr><td>[ ]</td><td>Square <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/brackets-vs-parentheses/">brackets</a></td><td>The AP writer said “[head] of baseball operations was disappointed.” </td></tr><tr><td>{ }</td><td>Curly brackets</td><td>The colors {orange, green, lilac, blue} are for the garage.</td></tr><tr><td>< ></td><td>Angle brackets</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>“ ”</td><td>Quotation marks</td><td>Bryan called it a “great situation.”</td></tr><tr><td>‘</td><td>Apostrophe</td><td>Some of Susan’s clothes are missing.</td></tr><tr><td>/</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/slash-symbol/">Slash</a> or Virgule</td><td>I’m ordering food/dessert/more.</td></tr><tr><td>… </td><td>Ellipses</td><td>According to the school the “president… was disappointed.”</td></tr><tr><td>*</td><td>Asterisk</td><td>*Data from The Economist</td></tr><tr><td>&</td><td><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ampersand/">Ampersand</a></td><td>Tiffany & Co.</td></tr><tr><td> •</td><td>Bullet point</td><td>• Simple<br>• Great<br>• Awesome</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Pound symbol</td><td>#1 selling</td></tr><tr><td>~</td><td>Tilde</td><td>Bryan owns ~10 pairs of shoes.</td></tr><tr><td>\</td><td>Backslash</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>@</td><td>At symbol</td><td><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84e9e5f6fdc4e3e9e5ede8aae7ebe9">[email protected]</a></td></tr><tr><td>^</td><td>Caret symbol</td><td>3^3 = 27</td></tr><tr><td>|</td><td>Pipe symbol</td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="common-faqs"></span>Common FAQs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Common questions and answers from English speakers and writers.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-are-apostrophes-used-in-contractions"></span>How are apostrophes used in contractions?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The apostrophe is always inserted into the spot <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/where-vs-were/">where</a> the previous letter used to be. For instance, “it is” can be written as “couldn’t,” “don’t,” “isn’t,” “you’re,” “she’s,” and so on. </p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="does-an-apostrophe-come-after-the-%e2%80%9cz%e2%80%9d-letter"></span>Does an apostrophe come after the “Z” letter?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When showing possession, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">common nouns</a> that finish in the letters s, z, or x should, in most cases, be written with an apostrophe followed by an s.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-do-i-use-an-apostrophe-in-a-literary-device"></span>How do I use an apostrophe in a literary device?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A speech or address to somebody who is not present or to a personified object, such as Yorick’s skull in Hamlet, is an example of the literary device known as an apostrophe.</p> <p>Ir originates from the Greek term apostrephein, which translates to “to turn aside.”</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-do-i-use-an-apostrophe-to-indicate-ownership-or-possession"></span>How do I use an apostrophe to indicate ownership or possession?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>To construct possessive nouns, often known as nouns that demonstrate “ownership” or “possession” of something, apostrophes that show possession typically get employed.</p> <p>Possession can get indicated with apostrophes by appending either the apostrophe followed by an “s” (‘s) or simply the apostrophe itself to the end of the noun that is indicating possession.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-is-%e2%80%9chappy-valentines-day%e2%80%9d-used-with-an-apostrophe"></span>How is “Happy Valentine’s Day” used with an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Saint Valentine is the person who gave his name to the holiday we celebrate today, as well as the person who served as the holiday’s original inspiration.</p> <p>In <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/honor-vs-honour/">honor</a> of Saint Valentine, the holiday’s name has been shortened to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/valentines-or-valentines/">Valentine’s</a> Day by adding an apostrophe and a s after his name.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="does-%e2%80%9cveterans%e2%80%9d-the-word-have-an-apostrophe"></span>Does “veterans” the word have an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>This is not a day that “belongs” to veterans. Instead, it is a day for commemorating all veterans. The word “veterans day” does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of the word “veterans.” This is because the day is not a day that “belongs” to veterans.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="does-%e2%80%9cmasters-degree%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe"></span>Does “Master’s Degree” have an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When writing <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/masters-degree-apostrophe/">bachelor’s degree</a> and master’s degree, the possessive form of the apostrophe should be used, but not when writing master of arts or master of science. To avoid confusion, neither “associate degree” nor “doctoral degree” should be written with an apostrophe (possessive).</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="does-%e2%80%9cmothers-day%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe"></span>Does “Mother’s Day” have an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The apostrophe comes before the letter S in the name of Mother’s Day, just like it does for other holidays such as Father’s Day, New <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/years-years-years/">Year’s</a> Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.</p> <p>However, Mother’s Day presents a unique challenge because its originator, Anna Jarvis, demanded that the punctuation mark be placed in this specific location.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-a-curly-apostrophe"></span>What is a curly apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The majority of publishers <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/choose-vs-chose/">choose</a> to use smart apostrophes, which are sometimes referred to as curly or typographer’s apostrophes, because of their more professional appearance.</p> <p>Because of a function known as smart quotes, most word processors will likely generate them for you automatically by default. You’ll notice that the punctuation marks used in this paragraph and the rest of this text are smart apostrophes.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="does-%e2%80%9cbachelors-degree%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe"></span>Does “Bachelor’s Degree” have an apostrophe?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The term “bachelor’s” should get used when discussing a degree earned during the undergraduate level of education. It is possessive and singular since only one person can hold the degree at any given time.</p> <p>The apostrophe after the term “bachelor’s” indicates that the recipient has the degree that was achieved.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="sources"></span>Sources:<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li><em><a href="https://www.suu.edu/writingcenter/undergraduate/pdf/tip-sheets/apostrophe.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Uses Of Apostrophe</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/apostrophe-rules.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When and How To Use an Apostrophe</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/apostrophe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apostrophe Rules</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/apostrophes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn When to Use an Apostrophe</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar/punctuation/when-not-to-use-an-apostrophe.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When Not To Use An Apostrophe: Avoid Common Mistakes</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://www.rd.com/list/using-apostrophe-wrong/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10 Ways You’re Still Using Apostrophes Wrong</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://proofreadingpal.com/proofreading-pulse/writing-guides/common-apostrophe-errors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Common Apostrophe Errors</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://blog.lingoda.com/en/common-apostrophe-mistakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Common Apostrophe Errors</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/apostrophes/the-apostrophe-with-numbers-letters-and-abbreviations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Apostrophe with Letters, Numbers, and Abbreviations</a></em></li> <li><em><a href="https://www.grammar-monster.com/punctuation/apostrophe_after_acronym.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apostrophes in Plural Acronyms and Abbreviations</a></em></li> </ol> <div id="ez-toc-container" class="ez-toc-v2_0_72 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction"> <div class="ez-toc-title-container"> <p class="ez-toc-title" style="cursor:inherit">Inside this article</p> <span class="ez-toc-title-toggle"></span></div> <nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1" href="#what-is-an-apostrophe" title="What is an apostrophe?">What is an apostrophe?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2" href="#apostrophe-definition" title="Apostrophe definition">Apostrophe definition</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3" href="#how-did-it-originate" title="How did it originate?">How did it originate?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4" href="#early-english-use" title="Early English use">Early English use</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5" href="#french-use" title="French use">French use</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6" href="#what-does-an-apostrophe-do" title="What does an apostrophe do?">What does an apostrophe do?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7" href="#general-grammar-rules-when-using-an-apostrophe" title="General grammar rules (when using an apostrophe)">General grammar rules (when using an apostrophe)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8" href="#basic-rule-singular-nouns" title="Basic rule (singular nouns)">Basic rule (singular nouns)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9" href="#basic-rule-compound-nouns" title="Basic rule (compound nouns)">Basic rule (compound nouns)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10" href="#joint-or-separate-possession" title="Joint or separate possession">Joint or separate possession</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11" href="#with-other-punctuation-compounds-with-pronouns" title="With other punctuation, compounds with pronouns">With other punctuation, compounds with pronouns</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12" href="#time-and-money-use" title="Time and money use">Time and money use</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13" href="#possessive-pronouns-and-adjectives" title="Possessive pronouns and adjectives">Possessive pronouns and adjectives</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14" href="#disambiguation" title="Disambiguation">Disambiguation</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15" href="#use-in-singular-nouns-ending-with-an-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d-or-%e2%80%9cz%e2%80%9d-sound" title="Use in singular nouns ending with an “s” or “z” sound">Use in singular nouns ending with an “s” or “z” sound</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16" href="#example-sentences" title="Example sentences">Example sentences</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17" href="#use-in-nouns-ending-with-silent-s-x-or-z" title="Use in nouns ending with silent s, x, or z">Use in nouns ending with silent s, x, or z</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18" href="#example-sentences-2" title="Example sentences">Example sentences</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19" href="#use-of-possessives-in-geographic-names" title="Use of possessives in geographic names">Use of possessives in geographic names</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20" href="#example-sentences-3" title="Example sentences">Example sentences</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21" href="#use-of-possessives-in-names-of-organizations" title="Use of possessives in names of organizations">Use of possessives in names of organizations</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22" href="#example-sentences-4" title="Example sentences">Example sentences</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23" href="#use-in-forming-plurals" title="Use in forming plurals">Use in forming plurals</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24" href="#abbreviations" title="Abbreviations">Abbreviations</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25" href="#letters-of-the-alphabet-and-small-words" title="Letters of the alphabet and small words">Letters of the alphabet and small words</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26" href="#numbers-and-symbols" title="Numbers and symbols">Numbers and symbols</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27" href="#with-family-names" title="With family names">With family names</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28" href="#10-common-mistakes-when-using-an-apostrophe" title="10 common mistakes when using an apostrophe">10 common mistakes when using an apostrophe</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29" href="#with-plurals" title="With Plurals ">With Plurals </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30" href="#with-pronouns" title="With Pronouns ">With Pronouns </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31" href="#with-shared-possession" title="With Shared Possession ">With Shared Possession </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32" href="#with-the-possessive-form-of-a-surname-last-name" title="With the Possessive Form of a Surname (Last Name)">With the Possessive Form of a Surname (Last Name)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33" href="#with-the-plural-form-of-an-abbreviation" title="With the Plural Form of an Abbreviation ">With the Plural Form of an Abbreviation </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34" href="#with-the-plural-form-of-a-numeral" title="With the Plural Form of a Numeral">With the Plural Form of a Numeral</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35" href="#with-a-span-of-years" title="With a Span of Years ">With a Span of Years </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36" href="#with-the-plural-form-of-a-word-used-as-a-word" title="With the Plural Form of a Word Used as a Word ">With the Plural Form of a Word Used as a Word </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37" href="#with-the-plural-form-of-a-letter-used-as-a-letter" title="With the Plural Form of a Letter Used as a Letter">With the Plural Form of a Letter Used as a Letter</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38" href="#with-brand-names" title="With Brand Names">With Brand Names</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39" href="#10-ways-to-learn-how-to-use-the-apostrophe-correctly" title="10 ways to learn how to use the apostrophe correctly">10 ways to learn how to use the apostrophe correctly</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40" href="#apostrophe-rules" title="Apostrophe rules">Apostrophe rules</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41" href="#when-to-use-an-apostrophe" title="When to use an apostrophe">When to use an apostrophe</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42" href="#understanding-using-the-apostrophe-before-or-after-the-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d" title="Understanding using the apostrophe before or after the “S”">Understanding using the apostrophe before or after the “S”</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43" href="#examples" title="Examples">Examples</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44" href="#understanding-using-the-apostrophe-after-%e2%80%9cs%e2%80%9d-in-names" title="Understanding using the apostrophe after “S” in names">Understanding using the apostrophe after “S” in names</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45" href="#where-do-you-put-an-apostrophe-after-a-last-name" title="Where do you put an apostrophe after a last name?">Where do you put an apostrophe after a last name?</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46" href="#more-punctuation-marks-all-26-marks" title="More punctuation marks (all 26 marks)">More punctuation marks (all 26 marks)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47" href="#common-faqs" title="Common FAQs">Common FAQs</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48" href="#how-are-apostrophes-used-in-contractions" title="How are apostrophes used in contractions?">How are apostrophes used in contractions?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-49" href="#does-an-apostrophe-come-after-the-%e2%80%9cz%e2%80%9d-letter" title="Does an apostrophe come after the “Z” letter?">Does an apostrophe come after the “Z” letter?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-50" href="#how-do-i-use-an-apostrophe-in-a-literary-device" title="How do I use an apostrophe in a literary device?">How do I use an apostrophe in a literary device?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-51" href="#how-do-i-use-an-apostrophe-to-indicate-ownership-or-possession" title="How do I use an apostrophe to indicate ownership or possession?">How do I use an apostrophe to indicate ownership or possession?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-52" href="#how-is-%e2%80%9chappy-valentines-day%e2%80%9d-used-with-an-apostrophe" title="How is “Happy Valentine’s Day” used with an apostrophe?">How is “Happy Valentine’s Day” used with an apostrophe?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-53" href="#does-%e2%80%9cveterans%e2%80%9d-the-word-have-an-apostrophe" title="Does “veterans” the word have an apostrophe?">Does “veterans” the word have an apostrophe?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-54" href="#does-%e2%80%9cmasters-degree%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe" title="Does “Master’s Degree” have an apostrophe?">Does “Master’s Degree” have an apostrophe?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-55" href="#does-%e2%80%9cmothers-day%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe" title="Does “Mother’s Day” have an apostrophe?">Does “Mother’s Day” have an apostrophe?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-56" href="#what-is-a-curly-apostrophe" title="What is a curly apostrophe?">What is a curly apostrophe?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-57" href="#does-%e2%80%9cbachelors-degree%e2%80%9d-have-an-apostrophe" title="Does “Bachelor’s Degree” have an apostrophe?">Does “Bachelor’s Degree” have an apostrophe?</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-58" href="#sources" title="Sources">Sources</a></li></ul></nav></div> </div> <div bind="a45688e5-b9eb-987e-b87a-877b363b714a" class="tags w-clearfix"> <div bind="3c46d1e8-cfca-93f8-1f0b-132651db81b5"><span bind="e3af2ae6-d86a-f810-ba70-8a062949eb9d" class="text-span-3">Tags:</span></div> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tag/apostrophe/" class="bold-text-4"><strong bind="9bd9671a-c4c5-f296-a149-d2e552ddbe4f" class="bold-text-5">Apostrophe</strong></a><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tag/plurals/" class="bold-text-4"><strong bind="9bd9671a-c4c5-f296-a149-d2e552ddbe4f" class="bold-text-5">Plurals</strong></a> </div>  <div class="fact-checked w-clearfix"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png" loading="lazy" width="35" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct-p-500.png 500w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 27vw, 35px" alt="" class="image-6" style="margin-right:20px;"> <p bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6e" class="fact"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6f">Fact checked:</strong><br>Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. <a href="/editorial-policy/" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e73"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e74">Learn more.</strong></a> </p> </div>   <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e64" class="author"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e65" class="author-image w-row"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e66" class="column-3 w-col w-col-3"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/Screen-Shot-2022-09-10-at-4.07.48-PM.png" loading="lazy" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e67" alt="" class="image-3" style="-webkit-border-radius:200px;border-radius:200px;-moz-border-radius:200px;"></div> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e68" class="column-2 w-col w-col-9"> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"><strong>About the author</strong> <a href="#" bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4c"><strong bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4d"></strong></a> </p> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"> <a href="/about/" bind="a4a5a123-eef4-a277-5d08-7dfd48482052"><strong bind="16ba8aa2-6a9a-8a55-c24f-7e0b2e7391c4">Dalia Y.:</strong></a> Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain. </p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Core lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/apostrophe/">Apostrophe</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ellipsis/">Ellipsis</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/semicolon/">Semicolon</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/hyphen/">Hyphen</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/et-al/">Et. Al.</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/exclamation-mark/">Exclamation Mark</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/capitalization-rules/">Capitalization Rules</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxford-comma-serial-comma/">Comma</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives/">Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives-describing-personality/">Personality Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Common Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Prepositions</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-voice/">Active Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/passive-voice/">Passive Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunctions</a> </div>  <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-simple/">Present Perfect Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-continuous/">Present Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-continuous/">Present Perfect Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clauses</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-pronouns/">Possessive Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-plural-nouns/">Irregular Plural Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-diagramming/">Sentence Diagramming</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complete-subjects/">Complete Subjects</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-starters/">Sentence Starters</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/metaphor/">Metaphor</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tones-in-writing/">Tones in Writing</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophones</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentences</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Glossary</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>A:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/abstract-noun/">Abstract Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/accusative-case/">Accusative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anecdote/">Anecdote</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/antonym/">Antonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-sentence/">Active Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective/">Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/alliteration/">Alliteration</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-clause/">Adjective Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-phrase/">Adjective Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ampersand/">Ampersand</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anastrophe/">Anastrophe</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/appositive-phrase/">Appositive Phrase</a></li> </ul> <strong>B:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/base-form/">Base Form</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/body-paragraph/">Body Paragraph</a></li> </ul> <strong>C:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-adjective/">Compound Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complex-sentence/">Complex Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-predicate/">Compound Predicate</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comparative-adjective/">Comparative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlatives-and-comparatives/">Comparative and Superlative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-noun/">Compound Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-subject/">Compound Subject</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-sentence/">Compound Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/copular-verb/">Copular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/colloquialism/">Colloquialism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conciseness/">Conciseness</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/consonance/">Consonance</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditionals/">Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjugation/">Conjugation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditional-sentence-if-clause/">Conditional Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-splice/">Comma Splice</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/correlative-conjunction/">Correlative Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-conjunction/">Coordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-adjectives/">Coordinate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cumulative-adjective/">Cumulative Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>D:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dative-case/">Dative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/determiners/">Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentence</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object-pronouns/">Direct Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object/">Direct Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-diction/">Diction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/diphthong/">Diphthong</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dangling-modifier/">Dangling Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-pronouns/">Demonstrative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-adjective/">Demonstrative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-characterization/">Direct Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/definite-article/">Definite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/doublespeak/">Doublespeak</a></li> </ul> <strong>E:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/equivocation-fallacy/">Equivocation Fallacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/en-dash/">En Dash</a></li> </ul> <strong>F:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/false-dilemma-fallacy/">False Dilemma Fallacy</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-progressive/">Future Perfect Progressive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-simple/">Future Simple</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-continuous/">Future Perfect Continuous</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect/">Future Perfect</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/first-conditional/">First Conditional</a></li> </ul> <strong>G:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund-phrase/">Gerund Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/genitive-case/">Genitive Case</a></li> </ul> <strong>H:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophone</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homonym/">Homonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/helping-verbs/">Helping Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>I:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-adjectives/">Irregular Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/imperative-sentence/">Imperative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-article/">Indefinite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-pronouns/">Indefinite Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indirect-characterization/">Indirect Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interrogative-sentence/">Interrogative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensive-pronoun/">Intensive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inanimate-object/">Inanimate Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-tense/">Indefinite Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/infinitive-phrase/">Infinitive Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interjection/">Interjection</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensifier/">Intensifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inifitives/">Infinitive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indicative-mood/">Indicative Mood</a></li> </ul> <strong>J:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/juxtaposition/">Juxtaposition</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>L:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/linking-verbs/">Linking Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>M:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modal-verb/">Modal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modifier/">Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/misplaced-modifier/">Misplaced Modifier</a></li> </ul> <strong>N:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/nominative-case/">Nominative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-as-noun/">Noun Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>O:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxymoron/">Oxymoron</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-complement/">Object Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/order-of-adjectives/">Order of Adjectives</a></li> </ul> <strong>P:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/participle/">Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallelism/">Parallelism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-perfect-tense/">Past Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-progressive-tense/">Past Progressive Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/persuasive-writing/">Persuasive Writing</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallel-structure/">Parallel Structure</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-adjective/">Predicate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-nominative/">Predicate Nominative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phonetic-language/">Phonetic Language</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/plural-noun/">Plural Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation/">Punctuation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation-marks/">Punctuation Marks</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Preposition</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/preposition-of-place/">Preposition of Place</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-adjective/">Possessive Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-determiner/">Possessive Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-case/">Possessive Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-adjective/">Proper Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-participle/">Present Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prefix/">Prefix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate/">Predicate</a></li> </ul> <strong>Q:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/quotation-marks/">Quotation Marks</a></li> </ul> <strong>R:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/relative-pronouns/">Relative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reflexive-pronouns/">Reflexive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reciprocal-pronouns/">Reciprocal Pronoun</a></li> </ul> <strong>S:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/stative-verbs/">Stative Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-complement/">Subject Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-of-a-sentence/">Subject of a Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-variety/">Sentence Variety</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/second-conditional/">Second Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/suffix/">Suffix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlative-adjective/">Superlative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/slash-symbol/">Slash Symbol</a></li> </ul> <strong>T:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/topic-sentence/">Topic Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-nouns/">Types of Nouns</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-sentences/">Types of Sentences</a></li> </ul> <strong>U:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/uncountable-noun/">Uncountable Noun</a></li> </ul> <strong>V:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/verb-tenses/">Verb Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/vowels-and-consonants/">Vowels and Consonants</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Popular lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bare-with-me-or-bear-with-me/">Bare With Me</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bosss-bosses-bosses/">Boss's, Bosses, or Bosses'</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/full-proof-or-foolproof/">Full Proof or Foolproof</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-or-are/">Is or Are</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/led-vs-lead/">Led or Lead</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/are-seasons-capitalized/">Are Seasons Capitalized</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-part-or-apart/">A Part vs. Apart</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/to-easy-or-too-easy/">Too Easy or To Easy</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-or/">Comma Before "Or"</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tenses/">Past Tenses</a> </div> </div> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/payed-vs-paid/">Payed vs. Paid</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/lets-or-lets/">Let's or Lets</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ok-vs-okay/">OK or Okay</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/plural-of-moose/">Plural of Moose</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/which-vs-that/">Which vs. That</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/less-vs-fewer/">Less vs. Fewer</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="newsletter-signup"> <div class="super-big-wrap"> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/SquareOverride-604x592.png" loading="lazy" width="285" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/SquareOverride-604x592-p-500.png 500w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/SquareOverride-604x592.png 604w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 92vw, 285px" alt="" class="image-8"></div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <h2 class="heading-6 newsletter-h1">Stay awhile. 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