How to Actually Use Apostrophe ‘s

The apostrophe s (‘s) serves two functions:

1. As contraction – to indicate one or more letters was dropped.

For example:

• it is = it’s
• they are = they’re
• would have = would’ve

 

2. To indicate possession (ownership)

Just add ‘s at the end of a singular noun:

• Grandma’s house (grandma owns the house)
• my sister’s school bag (my sister posses the school bag)
• Liza’s car (Liza owns a car)
• Charles’s apartment (Charles owns an apartment) – pronounced: Charleses

Singular nouns that end in "s", you add 's, for example:

• the actress's role
• Ms. Lewis's cat

 

3. Plural Nouns

Only add ‘ (just the apostrophe symbol) to a plural noun:

• my sisters’ books
• my parents’ room
• the cats’ kittens

 

For plural nouns that do not end with an s, you add 's:

• the children's toys
• the women's restroom

 

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