Writing Blog Number 2

20240126 Apostrophes

Apostrophes

Another request (last one).

Apostrophes are used for two things – contractions and possession.

Contractions are when letters are dropped when two words are combined.
         Would not = wouldn’t
         Cannot = can’t
         Of the clock/On the clock = o’clock
         I would have = I’d’ve (this one is not really accepted by some editors)
         I would/I had = I’d
         It is = it’s OR ‘tis (archaic)
...and so on.

A common question is are these sort of contractions okay to use in prose or should they only be used in dialogue. The answer is it depends on your publisher and your own personal style. Personally, I think they are fine anywhere. Capital-L Literature publishers only like them in dialogue, and some high fantasy publishers feel the same. Some editors prefer them to be used sparingly. Some children’s publishers also do not like them. Basically, if going the traditional publishing route, check with their house style first.

The second usage is possession. This is when some-one owns something. In this case we add apostrophe-s.
         Mike’s car
         The cat’s food
         The sun’s rays
         A house’s roof
If the word ends in s already, just put an apostrophe except if you would say the extra s out loud. This is confusing, so if you leave the extra ‘s’ off, then that’s acceptable as well.
         The cows’ field
         The stars’ light
         James’s suit
         The bus’s wheels
So, again, say it out loud, and what sounds right, use it.

There is one possessive that does not use an apostrophe – its, meaning belonging to it. In fact, just to confuse matters, all pronoun possessives have no apostrophes: his, her, hers, their, theirs, our, etc.

Apostrophes are NOT used for plurals!
         Cow = one cow
         Cows = more than one cow
         Cow’s = belongs to the one cow
         Cows’ = belongs to many cows.

However, some guides and some English writing courses state you do use an apostrophe if you are doing a plural of a single letter or digit. Technically, this is correct, but has fallen out of fashion.
         I got four A’s on my report card.
         The gymnast got three 10’s for her routine.
This is not universal. Use it if you want, or not. I tend not to, but at least 2 publishers I have worked with have changed it.

That's it. Apostrophes.