A common error in writing is using apostrophes for plural words. “How many item’s do you need?” “Collect more card’s here!” This is an incorrect use of the apostrophe.
An apostrophe can be used to show possession – “Sarah's ball” or “the dog’s bone.” It can also be used to show a contraction. A contraction is a briefer way to say something, such as don’t instead of do not, or isn’t instead of is not. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter or letters.
An apostrophe can be used to show possession – “Sarah's ball” or “the dog’s bone.” It can also be used to show a contraction. A contraction is a briefer way to say something, such as don’t instead of do not, or isn’t instead of is not. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter or letters.
An easy rule of thumb here is to ask yourself what you are trying to say:
“How many item is do you need?”
That does not make any sense; therefore, you do not need an apostrophe.
“How many items do you need?”
There; that’s better! If you are not showing possession of the object or can’t change the two words back to “abc is,” then you do not need an apostrophe.
Here is another example of using the apostrophe correctly in a contraction:
You can say: Yuri is going to the mall after school.
Therefore, you can also say: Yuri’s going to the mall after school.
Is knowing when to use an apostrophe difficult for you?
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