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An apostrophe indicates the following: possession "cat's tails", contraction "can't do it", or omission "o'clock."

Use an apostrophe when you are showing any of these three things -- plural or not. When you are showing possession of a plural noun, use just an apostrophe, not an apostrophe S. Example: "Cats' tails are indicators of their demeanor.

Clarification:

Usually, when a noun is in the singular, the possessive is formed with 's:

John's book, the dog's tail.

However, if the singular noun ends in an "s", the apostrophe (usually) comes AFTER the final s:

The Jones' house is on Elm street.

(Note: Jones's is much less common but not incorrect.)

If the noun is in the plural and this plural noun ends in "s", then the apostrophe is added AFTER the "s". (See above: the dogs' tails are wagging").

However, if the plural form does NOT end in "s", then add apostrophe-s

Men's hands are usually larger than women's hands.

Example: The men's room, but the ladies' room.

Many, many people incorrectly use the apostrophe with s to create the plural. It is painfully common to see a mix of plurals in the same text, some with 's , some with just the s. The apostrophe is NOT used with the s to create a plural.

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