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Possession
is the more common of the two applications where
apostrophes are used. (Apostrophes are also used
to form contractions like isn't
or we'll.)
The
basic rule for apostrophes and possession is
this: Place an apostrophe + "s"
after a noun to create the singular
possessive form of the noun, as in my
cousin's bicycle (meaning the bicycle
belonging to my cousin). The apostrophe
belongs AFTER the "s"--my
cousins' bicycle--if
the bicycle belongs to more than one cousin.
THE
GREAT APOSTROPHE MYTH:
Every
word needs an apostrophe before the
"s" when there is possession.
Don't
believe it. Only
nouns require apostrophes to show possession; pronouns do not. The possessive pronouns ours
and yours require
no apostrophe, and NEITHER DOES THE WORD
ITS!
Examples follow:
A
jigsaw puzzle without all of its
pieces is useless.
The dog was chasing its
tail.
It's
important to remember that the word IT'S
is a contraction that stands for it
is.
MORE
EXAMPLES OF CORRECT APOSTROPHE USAGE:
It is harder to recognize one’s own faults than
someone else’s.
I am still thinking about last
Friday’s
beautiful weather; there have not been many
sunny Fridays recently.
 
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