Commas

Dashes

Semicolons

Colons

Apostrophes

Numbers

Apostrophes

In academic writing, the main purpose of the apostrophe is to indicate or show possession. Using apostrophes can add clarity to your writing and make it appear more professional. Look at the following statement:

The mechanic repaired the stereo of the car and the rear defroster of the car.

The preceding statement is verbose and difficult to understand. Use apostrophes to simplify it.

The mechanic repaired the car's stereo and rear defroster.

Use the following guidelines to show possession with apostrophes in your writing:

• Add an apostrophe and s to singular nouns and plural nouns that do not end in s.

  The official's call angered fans.

  Hugh Grant starred in Bridget Jones's Diary.

  The children's choir sang on Thursday evening.

  Some have criticized the media's coverage of the conflict.

   

• Add an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in s
  

  The singers' warmup exercises lasted an hour.

  This hotel hosted the doctors' conference last month.

   

• Add an apostrophe and s to the end of a compound noun or word groups.

  The organization approved the student body's decision to raise funds.

  His mother-in-law's flight arrived at the airport on time.

   

DO NOT use apostrophes to

• show plurality.

  INCORRECT Many NHL player's won a medal during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

  CORRECT Many NHL players won a medal during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

   

• show possession with personal pronouns such as its, ours, yours, theirs, his, hers, etc.

  INCORRECT This car is our's, and that car is their's.

  CORRECT This car is ours, and that car is theirs.