UWF Writing Lab Rules of Thumb for Possessives/Apostrophes from

Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon

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A Facebook Ad - October 2010

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IS TV AT IT’S BEST

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Sign on meeting/conference room door of Tryon Branch Library, Pensacola, FL

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Writers use the apostrophe to substitute for the preposition of, by, with, or for: a doctor’s appointment (appointment with

the doctor) a week’s notice (notice of one week) the children’s toys (toys for the children) Presidents’ Day (Day for [two] Presidents) the boss’s desk (desk of the boss) Sophocles’ plays (plays by Sophocles)

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Use the apostrophe and -s or only the apostrophe in these instances: For singular nouns before plural nouns or other

singular nouns: attorney’s fees, the book’s editor For singular nouns ending in –s: Bill Gates’s

computer OR Bill Gates’ computer (unless the pronunciation is distorted: Ulysses’ computer, NOT Ulysses’s computer)

For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van, my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all instructors’ grades

For plural nouns not ending in –s: the people’s court, women’s rights

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Use the apostrophe and -s or only the apostrophe in these instances: For indefinite pronouns: nobody’s business For joint ownership: Ted and Jane’s wedding For individual ownership: Ted’s and Jane’s

wedding rings For compound singular nouns: the lieutenant

governor’s staff For compound plural nouns: my brothers-in-

law’s jobs

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Use the apostrophe and -s or only the apostrophe in these instances: For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s

degree, bachelor’s degrees For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s and

A’s For words used as words: too many wherefore’s in

legalese For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s

on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is), you’re

(you are), they’re (they are)

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Use a possessive noun or pronoun preceding a gerund: my going to college

your coming to class

Carol’s leaving early

Betty’s being on time

your giving a report

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Do NOT use an apostrophe

For possessive pronouns: its whose yours theirs ours hers

For plurals: the Joneses dictionaries bonuses

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Let’s Practice!!! As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples complaints

and requests. …PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS…

Mr. Davis grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952 Ford at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue. MR. DAVIS’ or DAVIS’S GRANDMOTHER…GRANDSON’S

1952 FORD… My three little girls favorite cartoon comes on very early Saturday

morning. …GIRLS’ FAVORITE…

A sale of childrens’ and mens’ Dingo boots doesn’t happen regularly.

…CHILDREN’S AND MEN’S…

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Let’s Practice a Little More…

David’s and Kevin’s classroom is on the right at the end of the hall.

DAVID AND KEVIN’S… Brent and Brian’s report cards were smudged and torn.

BRENT’S AND BRIAN’S… The three musketeer’s swords are fine, fast, and fancy.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ SWORDS… My sister-in-laws’ child-rearing practices leave much to be

desired. MY SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHILD-REARING…

My brother keeps his bachelors degree framed in his office. …BACHELOR’S DEGREE…

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Almost There… On my last report card, I received two As, one B,

and two Cs. …A’s…C’s.

There are too many maybes in his report. …MAYBE’S…

The hospital has four M.D.s on staff today. …M.D.’s…

Whose your favorite actor in Hollywood? WHO’S…

I am excited about you addressing the assembly. …YOUR ADDRESSING…

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Last Ones!!!

Florida expects its’ students to speak and write well.

…ITS STUDENTS… Ed drove the Harrises’ home from the

Joneses party. …HARRISES…JONESES’ PARTY.

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