Let's Talk 'Bout Apostrophes!

Overview

Many people struggle with when to use an apostrophe. It's no wonder why; apostrophes can be tricky! Let's start by defining what they are and their purpose. An apostrophe is a punctuation mark ( ' ) used to indicate possession or the omission of letter(s) or number(s). Following is a detailed exploration of these uses.

Possession

Singular Possessive Nouns

To show ownership of singular nouns, add an apostrophe and an S, even if the noun ends in an S.

I borrowed Kate's book.
I spent the weekend at my father's house.
Xerxes's army was vicious.
My TV's antenna is broken.

Exception: Its

Like all possessive pronouns, its does not take an apostrophe, yet people often mistakenly use an apostrophe here. See the final section of this document for tips on avoiding this error.

Plural Possessive Nouns

When showing ownership of a plural that ends with S, put an apostrophe after the S, but don't add another S.

Both of our fathers' birthdays are today. ("Both of our father's birthdays" would imply that our one father has two birthdays!)
All 35 of my TVs' antennas are broken. ("35 of my TV's antennas" would mean I have one TV with 35 broken antennas!)
Foxes' tails are bushy. ("Fox’s tails" would mean one fox with multiple tails)

Irregular Plurals

For irregular plurals that don't end with an S, add an apostrophe and S as normal.

Do you know those people's names?
Everyone's new VCRs have arrived.
The children's coats are hung with care.
The geese's flight pattern was notably different the year of the drought.

Omission

Replacing Letters

Apostrophes often take the place of one or more letters. In some cases, incorrect apostrophe usage could change the meaning of the word or phrase.

Common Contractions

Remember that, at TranscribeMe, we transcribe common contractions as spoken; do not expand them if the speaker says the contraction.

I can't go tonight. (contraction of cannot)
I hadn't thought of that. (contraction of had not)
Let's go home. (contraction of Let us)
I think it's going to be a long, long time. (contraction of it is)

Notes: Lets without an apostrophe means allows. For example, Mom lets us go every night, i.e., Mom allows us (to) go. Let's with an apostrophe is the command of the verb meaning let us, i.e. we should.

The possessive pronoun its does not take an apostrophe; the contraction it is, however, requires one to take the place of the missing I.

Poetic Contractions

Though not common in transcription, you may encounter archaic contractions sometimes used in "eloquent" speech or when quoting classical texts. Consult Merriam-Webster dictionary and research the original text as necessary.

'Tis the season
O'er the river
'Twas a moonlit night

Common mistake: 'til. Till is the correct version. It's 10 till 6:00. See Quick and Dirty Tips for an explanation.

Slang Contractions

For rules regarding what is and is not acceptable, be sure to carefully follow the correct Style Guide, e.g. Clean or Full Verbatim, special styles, etc., when dealing with slang contractions.

Said: It's 'bout time y'all showed up.
Clean Verbatim: It's about time y'all showed up

Said: I want to go 'cause it sounds fun. 'Kay?
Clean Verbatim: I want to go because it sounds fun. Okay?

Replacing Numerals

If a year is abbreviated, use an apostrophe to stand in for the missing digits.

Where were the three of you in '88? (1988)
The law passed in the fall of '08. (2008)
He wasn't at Woodstock. He was born in the late '70s. (1970s)
She went to the dance dressed like a roaring '20s flapper. (1920s)

Notice an apostrophe replaces the missing digits in 1920s and 1970s, but there is no apostrophe before the S, because it's not possessive.

Plurals - DON'T Use an Apostrophe

Generally, apostrophes are NOT used to indicate plurals. When you have several of something, there should be no apostrophe before the S.

People around here like to drink cokes.
How many Qs are in that sentence?
We have five TVs in our house.
The 1990s were a strange time.

Still Confused?

Its and It's

Remember, its is a possessive pronoun, like his, her, their, yours, or hers. Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe. (See this Grammarly article for details and examples.) It's, however, is a contraction of it is, and therefore requires an apostrophe to stand in for the letter I that it replaces.

It's a very old house, and its roof needs to be replaced.
It's time for the snake to shed its skin.
Its large, bright, and beautiful feathers are why it's hard to miss the peacock at the zoo.

If you're unsure, replace it's/its with it is, and then try a possessive pronoun such as his or her. If it is makes sense, then it's has an apostrophe. If the possessive pronoun makes sense, use its with no apostrophe.

Heard: It's/Its cold outside

It's (It is) cold outside ← Yes! Use the apostrophe: It's cold outside.
Its (His) cold outside ← No. Don't do it.

Heard: It's/Its fur was shedding

It's (It is) fur was shedding ← Nope, that's not it.
Its (His) fur was shedding ← Yep! No apostrophe here; Its fur was shedding.

Lets and Let's

Lets without an apostrophe is a present tense verb meaning allows. Let's with an apostrophe is a contraction of let us, the command form of the verb which, in everyday speech, is rarely expanded to let us. To test whether to use the apostrophe, try replacing let's/lets with we should and then allows (to). If we should makes sense in the sentence, use let's. If allows (to) fits, then use lets.

Heard: Let's/Lets be more careful.

Let's (We should) be more careful. ← Yep, that makes sense! Let's be more careful.
Lets (Allows to) be more careful. ← Not so much sense.

Heard: Mom never let's/lets us go out at night.

Mom never let's (we should) go out at night. ← Nope, that's not it.
Mom never lets (allows) us (to) go out at night. ← Again, awkward because allows usually needs a to, but this is the correct meaning. Mom never lets us go out at night.

Another way of looking at it is that lets without the apostrophe will always accompany a singular noun or pronoun such as mom, he, she, it, window, etc.

He lets his dog out every hour. (He allows his dog (to go) out every hour)
She lets her hair air-dry. (She allows her hair (to) air-dry)
The window lets in plenty of light. (The window allows in plenty of light)
My dad lets me drive his truck to work on Tuesdays. (My dad allows me (to)…)

Let's, on the other hand, implies a command or suggestion; more specifically, that "we" (the speaker and at least one other person) should do something.

Let's do this. Let's do that.
Let's not forget correct apostrophe usage!
Let's move on now.