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Apostrophes and Ellipses
The apostrophe is used to indicate that one or more letters have been omitted. An ellipsis is a series of marks, like the three periods, which is used to indicate an unfinished thought or a pause in speech.
2,109 Questions
How do you know where to put an apostrophe in a contraction?
Wherever a letter (or letters) is missing is where the apostrophe should go. For example, in do not or can not the contraction drops the 'o' in 'not' so the apostrophe takes its place - don't; can't. In this same way, whenever 's is used, the apostrophe is taking the place of the 'i' in 'is'.
What is apostrophe for they would?
The apostrophe for the words they and would is they'd.
Example: It would be easier to make a smoothie if they'd have bought a better blender.
Does the word says need an apostrophe?
No, says does not need an apostrophe. It's the present tense third person singular conjugation of the verb "say".
How is an apostrophe used to form the plural of a single letter?
In some situations it is acceptable to use an apostrophe to clarify a plural for lower case letters only. An example would be, "Make sure you dot all the i's and cross all the t's". This, however, is not an established rule.
The Oxford Dictionary states that it is incorrect to use an apostrophe for capitals. ABCs is correct. ABC's is not.
What is the correct plural spelling of the last name Francis?
Francises
Francis's would be if they own something e.g. The Francis's TV
What does an apostrophe at the end of a word symbolize?
Final apostrophe indicates a plural possessive. It is only used to form the possessive of plural nouns ending in -s. Do not use a final apostrophe for the possessive of a singular noun ending in -s: it is for plurals only.
Does the word manufacturers have an apostrophe?
If you are referring to more than one manufacturer, do not use an apostrophe.
"The manufacturers are happy with the quality of their widget."
If you are referring to things belonging to a manufacturer, use one before the final 's'.
"This manufacturer's widget is the best there is."
If you are referring to things belonging to more than one manufacturer, use one after the final 's'.
"The manufacturers' widgets are equally good."
What is the proper usage the Lee apostrophe s that or the the Lee s apostrophe that?
The proper usage is "Lee's" as it indicates possession or belonging to Lee. So, the correct phrase would be "Lee's that" to show that something belongs to Lee.
If there is more than one Lee involved, the proper nominative plural is "Lees" and the genitive plural is "Lees'". "Lee's" would be proper for a singular genitive, as in "the attorney representing the Lee's heirs", when there is only one person named Lee who has heirs.
In this context, the apostrophe is used incorrectly. "Carolina's" indicates possession or contraction (e.g., "Carolina's music"). To show plurality (referring to both North and South Carolina), the correct form is simply "Carolinas."
What type of pronoun uses an apostrophe to form the possessive?
None do. The possessives of pronouns are:
Mine = my
You = your
He = his
She = her
We = our
They = their
When do you add s to show possession?
You add it at the end of the possession word with an apostrophe before the "s". Ex. My Aunt's car is old. Cindy's toy boat floated atop the water.
What does it mean if apostrophe is before s in a word?
If an apostrophe is before an s in a word, it typically indicates possession or contraction where the word is shortened with missing letters. For example, "Mary's book" indicates possession (the book belonging to Mary), while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has".
Do you use an apostrophe s when a name ends in s?
Yes. For example:
" James's car broke down"
"I am going to Mr. Jones's house"
"This is Biff Liss's hat."
They are pronounced with an extra syllable at the end: Jamesez, Jonesez, Lissez.
There is one exception to this rule: the name Jesus. In "Jesus' beard was black." it is not pronounced Jezuzez nor written Jesus's.
What punctuation is used with the letter s to form the possessive case of singular nouns?
The possessive forms of most singular nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe followed by the letter "s" to the noun. For example, the possessive form of ramp is ramp's, and the possessive form of helicopter is helicopter's.
Remember that the possessive form of it is its, with no apostrophe. One of the most common errors is to assume that as a possessive form, it should have an apostrophe. The word "it's", however, is a contraction of "it is", and not the possessive form of the pronoun it.
Can you add apostrophe s after who to show plurality?
No. Apostrophe is used to show ownership or constractions but not to show plurarity.
What is used with the letter s to form the possessive case of indefinite pronouns?
You would use an apostrophe before "s" to form the possessive case of an indefinite pronoun, just like any other possessive.
Examples: Whether you'd actually enjoy doing it is anybody's guess.
The accident was nobody's fault.
What is the correct placement for the apostrophe for the boys?
The correct placement for the apostrophe for "the boys" would be "the boys'."
Why would a writer use ellipses with a quotation?
Ellipses show that a portion of the quote has been left out, which might mean that it was irrelevant to the purpose of the quote, but which could change the meaning of the quote if taken out of context.
Does apostrophe s show ownership?
Yes.
Example: Martha's dog ran across the street.
Note: Just a plain apostrophe can be used to the same effect if the word ends in an "s".
Example: Jones' motorcycle is missing.
Why is catholic boys' school spelled with the apostrophe after the s of boys?
Because "Boys' " is a plural possessive. "Boy" become plural with the addition of the "-S" and "Boys" becomes possessive with the apostrophe.
Why doesn't Elders Quorum have an apostrophe after the s?
A quorum is a group of people ordained or endowed with priesthood. In this case, "elder" is an adjective describing what kind of quorum is being held. Because the construction is "adjective-noun" instead of "possessive pronoun-noun," no apostrophe is needed.
How do you make a name plural that ends in ss?
You would add "es" to it: the Rosses, Barfusses, Glasses, and Furnesses.
