Apostrophe
noun
A punctuation mark (') used to show the letters left out in a word, or to show ownership.
In the word 'can't', the apostrophe shows that 'not' is left out. In 'John's book', the apostrophe shows that the book belongs to John.
Often appears as...
- singular apostrophe
- possessive apostrophe
Usage tips
Technical
noun
In literature, a way of speaking directly to someone who is not present, or to an object or idea as if it was a person.
In the poem, the poet uses an apostrophe to speak directly to the moon.
Often appears as...
- apostrophe in literature
- dramatic apostrophe
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A punctuation mark (') used to show the letters left out in a word, or to show ownership.
In the word 'can't', the apostrophe shows that 'not' is left out. In 'John's book', the apostrophe shows that the book belongs to John.
Often appears as...
- singular apostrophe
- possessive apostrophe
Usage tips
Technical
noun
In literature, a way of speaking directly to someone who is not present, or to an object or idea as if it was a person.
In the poem, the poet uses an apostrophe to speak directly to the moon.
Often appears as...
- apostrophe in literature
- dramatic apostrophe
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Shows Possession
An apostrophe can indicate that something belongs to someone or something.
That is Maria's car.
Pro Tip 2/3Indicates Omissions
Use an apostrophe in contractions where letters or numbers are omitted.
She'll go to the party instead of She will.
Pro Tip 3/3Plural Confusion
Remember, don't use an apostrophe to make regular nouns plural.
Incorrect: Apple's for sale. Correct: Apples for sale.
Pro Tip 1/3Shows Possession
An apostrophe can indicate that something belongs to someone or something.
That is Maria's car.
Pro Tip 2/3Indicates Omissions
Use an apostrophe in contractions where letters or numbers are omitted.
She'll go to the party instead of She will.
Pro Tip 3/3Plural Confusion
Remember, don't use an apostrophe to make regular nouns plural.
Incorrect: Apple's for sale. Correct: Apples for sale.
Pro Tip 1/3Shows Possession
An apostrophe can indicate that something belongs to someone or something.
That is Maria's car.
Pro Tip 2/3Indicates Omissions
Use an apostrophe in contractions where letters or numbers are omitted.
She'll go to the party instead of She will.
Pro Tip 3/3Plural Confusion
Remember, don't use an apostrophe to make regular nouns plural.
Incorrect: Apple's for sale. Correct: Apples for sale.
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Video examples
How doctors can help...
Of course, there's downsides to doing this as a private business, rather than as a nonprofit or a government entity. There's taxes and legal exposures. There's changing Medicaid rates and specialists who don't take Medicaid. And there's bomb threats. Notice there's no apostrophes, it's like,
Video examples
These Men Love...
boring we're grateful for so many things in their lives there's the biskits appreciation society the traffic cone Preservation Society the apostrophe protection Society the cloud appreciation society it goes on
Video examples
When to use apostrophes...
The apostrophe can be used in three to mark possession, to mark contraction, to mark the plural of single letters. Most of the time, if you see an apostrophe hovering helpfully near a word,
Video examples
How doctors can help...
Of course, there's downsides to doing this as a private business, rather than as a nonprofit or a government entity. There's taxes and legal exposures. There's changing Medicaid rates and specialists who don't take Medicaid. And there's bomb threats. Notice there's no apostrophes, it's like,
Video examples
These Men Love...
boring we're grateful for so many things in their lives there's the biskits appreciation society the traffic cone Preservation Society the apostrophe protection Society the cloud appreciation society it goes on
Video examples
When to use apostrophes...
The apostrophe can be used in three to mark possession, to mark contraction, to mark the plural of single letters. Most of the time, if you see an apostrophe hovering helpfully near a word,
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Robert Webb
English Comedian
Missing out an apostrophe or two does not make you an idiot. But equating party allegiance with nationhood certainly makes you a thug. And thugs don't often notice that they're thugs, usually because they're also idiots.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
I'd rather fiddle with my phone for precious seconds than neglect an apostrophe; I'd rather insert a word laboriously keyed out than resort to predictive texting for a - acceptable to some - synonym.
Quote examples
Jason Isbell
American Musician
My dad, as much as I love him, has one of those signs - 'The Isbell's' - on his front door, and he's got the damn apostrophe in there. I haven't strangled him yet.
Quote examples
Robert Webb
English Comedian
Missing out an apostrophe or two does not make you an idiot. But equating party allegiance with nationhood certainly makes you a thug. And thugs don't often notice that they're thugs, usually because they're also idiots.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
I'd rather fiddle with my phone for precious seconds than neglect an apostrophe; I'd rather insert a word laboriously keyed out than resort to predictive texting for a - acceptable to some - synonym.
Quote examples
Jason Isbell
American Musician
My dad, as much as I love him, has one of those signs - 'The Isbell's' - on his front door, and he's got the damn apostrophe in there. I haven't strangled him yet.
Example 1 of 3
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