Is your apostrophe really necessary? Correct use of apostrophes

The sign writer who compiled the following notice advertising a computer shop in Durham City does not appear to have employed any logic in their use of the apostrophe:

Accessories – Unlocking – Repair’s – Batteries – Chargers

All the words in this sign ending in s are free-standing plurals and, as such, require no such punctuation. So why has repair’s been treated differently? It looks as if the writer is aware of the existence of the apostrophe and so has added one for no other reason than ‘good measure’. For that anonymous sign writer and others in doubt, I hope this article and its accompanying activities prove enlightening.

Plurals

Misuse of the apostrophe is so widespread amongst food sellers in the UK, that a misplaced apostrophe in a plural word has become known as a grocer’s apostrophe. Market stall holders should resist the urge to punctuate their bananas, tomatoes and caulis. Likewise, plural abbreviations do not need an apostrophe (but note that the s indicating the plural is lower case):

• MEPs
• MOTs
• OAPs
• GCSEs
• HGVs

to name but a few.

Apostrophes should also be conspicuous by their absence in set plural phrases such as these examples:

• the whys and wherefores
• no ifs or buts
• dos and don’ts
• ups and downs
• ins and outs
• the pros and cons
• ways and means
• at sixes and sevens
• noughts and crosses

Possession

The relationship between two nouns, commonly known as possession, as in the following examples, does require an apostrophe:

• Ed’s beds
• Claudia’s law
• GPs’ groups
• MPs’ salaries

The above four examples correctly indicate, by virtue of the placement of the apostrophe, whether the possessor is singular or plural.

Examination of the following pairs should suffice to explain the difference between singular and plural by example rather than explanation:

• a bird’s eye view – birds’ eggs
• a gent’s signet ring – gents’ toilets
• a lady’s watch – assorted ladies’ belts
• a nurse’s uniform – nurses’ pay
• child’s play – children’s safety (Note: children is an irregular plural)

Note the absence of the apostrophe in the following time expressions:

• a teenager in the 1960s
• a blonde in her 50s

These examples refer to the entire decade rather than a specific year.

Does it matter?

There are those people who ask how much it matters whether you use an apostrophe or not. To a linguist, it matters because there is a rule to follow or disregard; we should all strive for accuracy because our language is our culture and our inheritance.

All languages have their quirks and peculiarities, some of which challenge even native speakers. To acknowledge and respect these idiosyncrasies is the mark of your position as a guardian of your mother tongue.

The fact that the error is only visible in writing and in no way affects the spoken word is even more reason for accuracy, because the written word remains as a record of our communication and hence our attention to detail.

Correct usage of the apostrophe can have legal significance: my brother’s estate indicates you have one male sibling; my brothers’ estate means you have more than one brother.

Having shared the above examples with your students, you might wish to give them the following activities to complete, to assess their understanding of the rules governing the use of the apostrophe. (These activities are downloadable as a worksheet at the bottom of this page. 

Activities

• With the students working in pairs, ask them to complete Activity 1.
• Ask the students to compare their answers with another pair.
• Invite the students to give the correct answer to the whole class.
• Consolidate the rationale.
• Repeat the procedure for Activity 2.

Activity 1

The following are all incorrect. Rewrite them with the correct use of the apostrophe.

1. a miners lamp
2. Durham Miner’s Gala
3. a few week’s sleep
4. a weeks’ holiday
5. the BAFTA’s
6. since the 1830’s
7. fish and chip’s
8. Harrys’ binocular’s
9. 100’s of bargains
10. Danielas’ uniform
11. rock to the sounds of the 80’s
12. Archie’s autograph’s
13. VIPs’
14. tulip’s
15. UFO’s
16. in varied colour’s
17. the Green’s
18. BBC Radio 4s Today programme

[Answers: 1 a miner’s lamp 2 Durham Miners’ Gala 3 a few weeks’ sleep 4 a week’s holiday 5 the BAFTAs 6 since the 1830s 7 fish and chips 8 Harry’s binoculars 9 100s of bargains 10 Daniela’s uniform 11 rock to the sounds of the 80s 12 Archie’s autographs 13 VIPs 14 tulips 15 UFOs 16 in varied colours 17 the Greens 18 BBC Radio 4’s Today programme)

Activity 2

Add apostrophes only where necessary.

1. Terrys barbers shop
2. over 75s
3. the UNs guidelines
4. LPs
5. a former gardeners diary
6. BBC TVs Gardeners World programme
7. DVDs
8. under 18s
9. All Saints Church
10. Davids homework
11. The Childrens Society
12. a girls name
13. girls golf
14. over 18s only
15. Ts & Cs apply
16. A Winters Tale
17. Peters tips
18. a patients record

(Answers: 1 Terry’s barber’s shop 2 over 75s 3 the UN’s guidelines 4 LPs 5 a former gardener’s diary 6 BBC TV’s Gardeners’ World programme 7 DVDs 8 under 18s 9 All Saints’ Church 10 David’s homework 11 The Children’s Society 12 a girl’s name 13 girls’ golf 14 over 18s only 15 Ts & Cs apply 16 A Winter’s Tale 17 Peter’s tips 18 a patient’s record)

So now that you know the dos and don’ts of apostrophes, let bygones be bygones, let’s have no more pineapple’s, mango’s or guava’s, mind your ps and qs – and think before you add that apostrophe.