LITERARY LAPSES 101, Part 4--Apostrophes

It seems like nearly everyone gets confused about apostrophes now and then. Even though we all 'learned' about their proper use back in elementary school, there often hasn't been a refresher course since then. For many of us, let's admit it, that was an eon ago.

Basically, with a few exceptions, apostrophes have two uses. 1) They are used in contractions to replace the letters that have been removed. 2) They are used for the possessive form of NOUNS (not pronouns). Let's look at the two main uses first, then a bit about exceptions that are fairly common.

1) Contractions. The main difficulty here is just where to put the apostrophe, and sometimes then how to spell the rest of the word. Apostrophes replace letters that have been removed. Can not becomes can't--the ' replace no. She will = she'll. It's = it is. In poetic language, we get 'tis for it is and o'er for over. There are a few contractions that mess with normal spelling ( one thing you can count on in English is an exception to every rule) like won't for will not. Of course, there's the curious case of ain't which seems to replace just about any negative to be verb in nonstandard English. Contractions come in quite handy for writing dialect: somethin', 'cause (because), s'up? (what's up--contraction of a contraction), gov'nor, ha'penny, 'ere now!, 'at's right...

   Special contractions to note: Ma'am--this is really a contraction of Madam
                                              Y'all-- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this one mangled! It means YOU
                                                         ALL, so the ' replaces ou in you

2) Possessives of Nouns. Placement is again part of the confusion. It mainly depends on if the noun is plural or singular.
     Singular (and plurals that don't end with s)--write the word followed by 's: the boy's hat; John's mother; the dog's bone; the children's homework; the men's  bathroom
     Plural with final s--the ' comes after the s: the dogs' food; The Smiths' car; the girls' laughter; my cats' meows.

  This is for possessive of NOUNS, not pronouns. Therefore, it's means it is and not belonging to it. HOWEVER . . . a few exceptions, as always, for some indefinite pronouns:
   anyone's guess; everyone's business; somebody's fault; one's best

Important: Apostrophes are NOT used to make plurals. . . Usually...
Many of us are under the mistaken idea that we need an apostrophe to form the plural for letters or numbers. Actually, this is an old style that is out of favor now (see grammar.about.com  and Write Express ) Most of the time those plurals are like all the others: PhDs; CDs; your Gs look like Js; there are too many 4s in that zip code; Heather was born in the 1990s.
EXCEPTION: if the meaning might be otherwise unclear. Remember to dot your i's--if you write is, it looks like the verb. The 0's are smudged. Here it means zeroes, but without the apostrophe could be confused for capital Os. AND for certain phrases and clichés: watch your p's and q's (confusion for ps); no if's, and's or but's (I don't know the reasoning behind that one).

Is this helpful or more confusing? I hope it serves as a quick refresher and useful guide.

Literary Lapses 101: Part 2--Possessive Perils

Today's pitfalls are more that most of us really know if we think about them, but we are either in too much of a hurry or content to let spellcheck take care of it all. Since these are all valid words, spellcheck doesn't help, and such elementary goofs look very unprofessional. The three sets of words today all include a possessive form, hence the title.


YOUR/YOU'RE

When you see them together, no doubt you know which is which. Your is a possessive adjective, something belongs to you.
This is your fault.
Your flowers are lovely.
Where did you leave your keys?

You're is a contraction for the two words you are.
You're stepping on my foot!
Where did you say you're going?
I hope you're picking up your kids soon.


THEIR/THERE/THEY'RE

Again, when you see them together, you probably know which is which.

Their is the possessive for they: something belongs to them.
Their dog is barking again.
Isn't it their turn to buy?

There has several meanings, but it is most often either used as a pronoun or an adverb for location.
There is a better way.
There are five cats hanging around the bird feeder.
Put the sofa over there and the chair right here.
There he goes again!

They're is a contraction for they are.
They're coming for dinner.
Do you know what they're bringing?

The fun starts when more than one of the words is in the same sentence.
They're taking their kids over there after school.


ITS/IT'S

These are often confused, and many of us need to think about which one to use before writing. It's easy to choose the wrong one because of the normal uses of an apostrophe.

ITS is the possessive when something belongs to it.
The bear protected its cubs.
The storm unleashed its full fury.

IT'S is the contraction for it is.
It's not easy being green.
Do you think it's time?
It's still licking its wounds.

Apostrophes are usually used for two reasons: 1) to take the place of dropped letters in a contraction. So it is becomes it's, we will becomes we'll. 2) in the possessive form of NOUNS, but not pronouns. Steve's car, the teachers' lounge, the dog's bone, Monday's child.

More on apostrophes in a later blog.