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Apostrophe (’)

Apostrophe to show two words have been connected (contraction)​

We sometimes connect two words to make one shorter word. We use an apostrophe to show that we have left out one or more letters:

do not → don’tThey don’t like salt in their food.
it is → it’sIt’s a long way to walk.
is not → isn’tIsn’t that such a pretty dress?
you have → you’veYou’ve broken my watch!
cannot → can’tWe can’t tell your father.
will not → won’tShe won’t eat any vegetables.
wh-word + ’s, ’d, etc.What’s he doing? Who’d like some coffee?
warning

We use ’s for has and is:

  • She*’s** seen that movie already.* (has)
  • He*’s** my brother.* (is)
warning

We use ’d for had and would:

  • They*’d** never been to Japan before.* (had)
  • She*’d** love to live in the USA.* (would)
See also
  • Contractions

Apostrophe + s to show possession​

When we show who owns something or has a close relationship with something, we use an apostrophe + s after the name or the noun. When the noun is plural, we put the apostrophe after the s:

  • Is that Frank’s camera?
  • There was a big teachers’ conference last week in Mexico City. (a conference for teachers)
See also
  • Possession (John’s car, a friend of mine)

Apostrophe with time​

We can use an apostrophe + s to show duration. When the time noun is plural, the apostrophe comes after the s:

  • For me, writing an essay involves at least an hour’s work.
  • It was just ten minutes’ walk from my house to my office. (the walk from my house to my office takes just ten minutes)

When we write the time, we sometimes use o’clock:

  • 14:00: two o’clock
  • 18:00: six o’clock
See also
  • Telling the time

Apostrophe: typical error​

We use an apostrophe to contract it is to it’s. We don’t use an apostrophe with possessive its:

  • The University is very proud of its gardens.
  • Not: … of it’s gardens.
See also
  • Possession (John’s car, a friend of mine)
  • Possessive ’s
  • Possessives with of
  • Punctuation