Punctuation Department · Today with The Mayor

Apostrophe

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Apostrophe

The Mayor teaches this column himself. Work through each capitalization job below, then take the quiz.

Use an apostrophe in a contraction

A contraction joins two words into one and leaves out a letter or two. An apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters: do not becomes don't.

In a sentence

She can't reach the shelf.

I'm ready for lunch.

Now you try

Join two words and drop a letter; the apostrophe marks the gap. You could try isn't, we'll, or you're.

Use an apostrophe to show ownership

A possessive noun shows that something belongs to someone. Add an apostrophe and an s to a singular noun: the dog's bowl, Mom's keys. (Nelson the Noun teaches what a possessive noun is; the apostrophe is mine.)

In a sentence

The dog's bowl is full.

Now you try

One owner takes apostrophe plus s; more than one owner ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s.

One mark, two jobs

An apostrophe has two jobs: it stands in for missing letters in a contraction, and it shows ownership in a possessive.

In a sentence

The cat's toy is lost.

Don't forget your coat.

Now you try

Missing letters, or ownership. And remember: it's means it is; its shows ownership.