Many students are confused about the correct use of apostrophes. In their confusion they may use apostrophes without thinking about the rules. Actually, the rules are quite simple. Students usually know to use apostrophes with contractions (don’t, won’t, etc.), but they often do not know how to use them to show possession.

Correct: The Raven is one of Edgar Allen Poe’s greatest poems.

Here, the poem belongs to Poe; an apostrophe is necessary to show that ownership.

Students often use apostrophes with plural words.

Incorrect: His other poem’s were also very popular.

In this example, there is no reason for the apostrophe. This word is plural and shows no ownership. However, remember that plural words sometimes show possession, and then they would have an apostrophe.

Correct: The horses’ bridles were in the barn.

Here the reader knows that more than one horse had a bridle in the barn.

The most common misuse of the apostrophe occurs with the words its and it’s. See below:

its = possessive pronoun

Correct: The cat cleaned its injured paw very carefully.

it’s = it is

Correct: It’s easy to make mistakes with apostrophes.

Key Idea
Use it’s only when you can use “it is” instead.

Guidelines for apostrophe use: