Lets try to learn when and where to use apostrophe
I am going = I'm going
I cannot do what you say = I can't do what you say.The question is easy = The question's easy.
It is important that I write well = It's important that I write well.To indicate possession, that something belongs to someone or something
the teacher's book = the book of the teacherthe book's cover = the cover of the book
The Government's education policy = the education policy of the Government.These examples use the singular of the noun and so the apostrophe comes after the word and before the 's'.
If the noun is plural and ends with a s, then the apostrophe comes at the end of the word after the final sThe students' expectations = the expectations of the students
my parents' address = the address of my parentsHowever, if the word is plural but does not end in s, then the apostrophe still comes at the end of the word, but is followed by an s
The women's movementThe people's decision
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Comments: 18
I'm sensitive to this because people often give me possessions by calling them Charles' rather than Charles's.
I believe the latter is always correct in other English-speaking countries. (And they're right.)
Examples:
James's novels
James'novel
the boss's car
the boss' car
Dickens's heroine/
Dickens' heroine
I suppose it is that. I too have bungled many a times. This is one rule I have difficulty in understanding.
but what about "the angry animal showed its fangs?
I still have a question. Do you use apostrophe for age range? Like, I am in my 30's. OR, I am in my 30s? I have seen both and I cannot remember what I was taught.
For 1972, one uses'72. Such like.
I agree. Boss's looks weird. 3 s are bit too much!
If I see even one more plural noun apostrophized (as in, "I have three cat's") I swear by all that's holy I will have a screaming fit.
Very informative!