Errors with the Apostrophe

Common Errors to Avoid Regarding the use of the Apostrophe

There has been an emerging trend of errors in text. A great number of people are no longer paying attention to the apostrophe when they write. Words that should contain an apostrophe are written without one. In this article, I will discuss when you need to use the apostrophe and why.

The apostrophe should be used to form a contraction, which is the combination of two words. You are can be written as you’re; can not can be written as can’t; it is can be written as it’s; you will can be written as you’ll; should not can be written as shouldn’t; I am can be written as I’m; he is can be written as he’s. When the apostrophe is used to form a contraction, you can think of it as showing the omission of a letter or letters. When we write can’t we are actually using the apostrophe to show that we are omitting the “no” from can not.

The use of contractions is reserved for more formal writing and should not be used when writing a proposal or formal letter. However, when you are using a contraction, you must use the apostrophe.

The apostrophe should also be used to form the possessive form of a word. When writing, Mary’s hat is blue, you must use the apostrophe to show possession. Again, I have seen so many people omitting the apostrophe in this instance. If the possessive word is plural, you should put the apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the word. For example, “The plants’ containers are in the garden.” In this case, we are talking about many plants (plural). The possessive form requires that the apostrophe go after the “s” in this case.

Another use of the apostrophe is for abbreviations. If we want to write, “That song was popular in the 1950s” we can also write “That song was popular in the ‘50s.” In this case, the apostrophe is used to create the abbreviation. Some people, however, make the mistake of writing “That song was popular in the 50’s. This is incorrect.

Perhaps the omission of the apostrophe in current writing is a result of texting where you would need to go to another screen to get the apostrophe character. Perhaps in quick, casual emails people accept this error but it is important to note that errors in writing reflect poorly upon the writer. Proper grammar is essential in formal writing, academic writing and especially on resumes.