Post by jeannerené on Jun 2, 2007 21:23:48 GMT -8
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
APOSTROPHES
Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples
don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show possession by one person.
Examples
the boy's hat
the boy's hats
In this example, one boy possesses two or more hats.
Rule 3. To show possession by more than one person, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples
one boy's hat two boys' hats
one woman's hat two women's hats
one actress's hat two actresses' hats
one child's hat two children's hats
Ms. Chang's house the Changs' house
Rule 4. To show singular possession with proper nouns ending in s or an s sound, add an apostrophe and an s.
Examples
Ms. Jones's office is next to Ms. Straus's.
Texas's weather in summer can vary greatly.
Add the apostrophe and an s to names that end in z or x to show singular possession:
Examples
Jose Sanchez's drumming is well known in Cuba.
Ms. Marx's fiction draws on her background as a journalist.
It is acceptable to add just an apostrophe under these circumstances:
* Nouns or proper nouns ending in s that sound like z:
Examples
Dr. Hastings' hat blew off in the storm.
Euripides' tragedies often reveal a hero at birth.
Mrs. Lees' hair came to her waist.
* Nouns or proper nouns where the s is unpronounced:
Examples
The marquis' father planned for his son to be king one day.
Illinois' favorite son is Abraham Lincoln.
* Nouns or proper nouns of three or more syllables that end in s:
Examples
Adelphos' loyalty suits his name, which means "brother."
Alcestes' rescue by Hercules saves her from death.
The following names traditionally do not use the s after the apostrophe to show possession:
Examples
Jesus' followers were first called Christians at Antioch.
Moses' leadership was not always respected by the wandering Israelites.
Rule 5. To form the possessive for a plural name that ends in an s or s sound, make the name plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Examples
the Joneses' house
the Sanchezes' house
Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Example my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
separate ownership
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
There is joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns-his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is.
Examples
This book is hers, not yours.
It hurt its paw.
It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
Rule 10. Using an apostrophe to show plurals of numbers, letters, and figures is optional.
Examples
She consulted with three M.D.'s.
OR
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
Rule 11. Centuries and decades should be expressed as follows:
the 1990s, not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s, not the '90's or the mid-'70's
Rule 12. Use possessive case in front of a gerund (ing word).
Examples
Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities next Thursday.
Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun.
Examples
I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict.
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
APOSTROPHES
Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples
don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show possession by one person.
Examples
the boy's hat
the boy's hats
In this example, one boy possesses two or more hats.
Rule 3. To show possession by more than one person, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples
one boy's hat two boys' hats
one woman's hat two women's hats
one actress's hat two actresses' hats
one child's hat two children's hats
Ms. Chang's house the Changs' house
Rule 4. To show singular possession with proper nouns ending in s or an s sound, add an apostrophe and an s.
Examples
Ms. Jones's office is next to Ms. Straus's.
Texas's weather in summer can vary greatly.
Add the apostrophe and an s to names that end in z or x to show singular possession:
Examples
Jose Sanchez's drumming is well known in Cuba.
Ms. Marx's fiction draws on her background as a journalist.
It is acceptable to add just an apostrophe under these circumstances:
* Nouns or proper nouns ending in s that sound like z:
Examples
Dr. Hastings' hat blew off in the storm.
Euripides' tragedies often reveal a hero at birth.
Mrs. Lees' hair came to her waist.
* Nouns or proper nouns where the s is unpronounced:
Examples
The marquis' father planned for his son to be king one day.
Illinois' favorite son is Abraham Lincoln.
* Nouns or proper nouns of three or more syllables that end in s:
Examples
Adelphos' loyalty suits his name, which means "brother."
Alcestes' rescue by Hercules saves her from death.
The following names traditionally do not use the s after the apostrophe to show possession:
Examples
Jesus' followers were first called Christians at Antioch.
Moses' leadership was not always respected by the wandering Israelites.
Rule 5. To form the possessive for a plural name that ends in an s or s sound, make the name plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Examples
the Joneses' house
the Sanchezes' house
Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Example my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
separate ownership
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
There is joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns-his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is.
Examples
This book is hers, not yours.
It hurt its paw.
It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
Rule 10. Using an apostrophe to show plurals of numbers, letters, and figures is optional.
Examples
She consulted with three M.D.'s.
OR
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
Rule 11. Centuries and decades should be expressed as follows:
the 1990s, not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s, not the '90's or the mid-'70's
Rule 12. Use possessive case in front of a gerund (ing word).
Examples
Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities next Thursday.
Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun.
Examples
I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict.
