Apostrophe 2024

1. Use an Apostrophe in a contraction to show
where letters have been omitted, or left out.
Example: I don’t think I can do this.


2. Use an Apostrophe when you leave out the first two numbers of a year.
She was in the class of ’93.


3. For a singular noun that does not end in -s, add ‘s.
Example: The lady’s hands were trembling.


4. For a one syllable singular noun that ends in possessive.
Example: It is my boss’s birthday today.


5. If a singular noun has more than one syllable and ends in -s it is acceptable to use ‘s
OR to use only an Apostrophe after the -s. (It is important to remain consistent.)


Example: The metropolis’s citizens were very friendly during our visit.


Acceptable: The metropolis’ citizens were very friendly during our visit.


6. To form the possessive of a singular proper noun ending in -s, it is acceptable to add ‘s
OR to add only an apostrophe. (It is important to remain consistent.)


Example: Mr. Ness’s classroom is very inviting.


Acceptable: Mr. Ness’ classroom is very inviting.


7. If a plural noun ends in -s, add an Apostrophe after the -s.
Example: The ladies’ restroom was a mess.


8. If a plural noun does not end with an -s,
form the possessive by using an Apostrophe before an -s.


Example: The mice’s tails were caught in a trap.




9. For a compound noun, place the possessive ending after the last word.


Example: My mother-in-law’s car was in the garage during the hail storm. (singular)


Example: My brothers-in-law’s cars were damaged in the hail storm. (plural)


10. To show possession of the same object by more than one noun,

only make the last noun in the series possessive.


Example: I’m looking for Mrs. Garcia, Mrs. Lee, and Miss Carter’s office.
(They all share the same office.)


Example: I’m looking for Mrs. Garcia’s, Mrs. Lee’s, and Miss Carter’s offices.
(Each person has her own office.)




11. Use an Apostrophe to form the plural of a number, letter, sign, or word used as a word.
Example: Check to see that you used the +’s and -‘s correctly.

ELLIPSIS…

1. Use an ellipsis to indicate a pause.


Example: You mean … I … uh … we have a test today?


2. Use an ellipsis to indicate omitted words in a quotation.


Example: "Then you’d blast off … on screen, as if you were looking out … of a spaceship."


3. If the ellipses comes at the end of your sentence, you still need end punctuation, even it is a period.


I listened carefully as the teacher read Lincoln’s inaugural address.
"Four score and seven years ago …."

HYPHEN (-)

1. Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.


Example: The final score was seventy-eight to sixty-two.


2. Use a hyphen between the numbers in a fraction.


Example: I only used three-fourths of the flour you gave me.


3. Use a hyphen to form some compound words,
especially compound adjectives that appear for the nouns they modify.


Example: The court took a ten-minute recess.


4. Use a hyphen to join a capital letter to a word.
Example: I had to have my arm X-rayed.


5. Use a hyphen to show a family relationship, except "grand" and "half."


Example: My sister-in-law helps take care of my great-aunt.


Example: We are going to go visit my grandparents while we are in town.

Example: Connie just found out that she has a half sister.

DASH (—)

1. Use a pair of dashes to indicate a sudden interruption in a sentence.

(One handwritten dash is twice as long as a hyphen.
One typewritten dash is one hyphen followed by another.)


Example: There is one thing–actually several things–that I need to tell you.


2. Use a dash to attach an afterthought to an already complete sentence.


Example: Sarah bought a new pet yesterday–a boa constrictor.


3. Use a dash after a series of introductory elements.


Example: Murder, armed robbery, assault–he has a long list of felonies on his record.

PARENTHESES { ( ) }

1. Use a set of parentheses around a word or phrase in a sentence
that adds information or makes an idea more clear.
(Punctuation is placed inside the parentheses to mark the material in the parentheses.

Punctuation is placed outside the parentheses to mark the entire sentence.
When the material in parentheses is longer than one sentence [such as this information],

then the punctuation for the final sentence is placed inside the parentheses.)


Example: Your essay (all nine pages of it) is on my desk.


2. Do not use parentheses within parentheses.
Use brackets in place of the inner parentheses.


Example: Please refer to Julius Caesar (Act IV, scene i [page 72]).

BRACKETS [ ]

1. Use brackets around words of your own that you add to the words of someone you are quoting.


Example: The news anchor announced,
"It is my sad duty to inform our audience that we are now at war [with Iraq]."

UNDERLINING (OR ITALICS)