Index

• Omitted Figures
• Denoting Possession
  • Singular
  • Plural
  • When NOT to Use
• Special Content

Omitted Figures

In the case of an abbreviated year, the apostrophe takes the place of the omitted figure(s).

Example

• The class of '62.
• The Spirit of '76.
• The '20s.*

Note that when referring to a decade, the apostrophe occurs at the beginning rather than between the number and the pluralizer.

Incorrect: I love the music of the 80's.
Correct: I love the music of the '80s.

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Denoting Possession

The apostrophe will be placed differently depending on if it's denoting possession for a singular or plural noun.

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Singular

Add to ALL SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS NOT ENDING IN S to denote possession.

Example

• The alumni's contributions
• Women's rights
• The two deer's tracks.*
• The lone moose's antlers
• The horse's food.
• The ship's route.
• There is only one VIP's seat.

• Note how even if the noun is plural, if it doesn't end in s, it still gets the apostrophe.

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Plural

Use only an apostrophe for ALL PLURAL NOUNS and ALL NOUNS ENDING IN S.

Example

• One corps' location.
• Achilles' heel
• The girls' toys.
• The horses' food.
• The ships' wake.
• States' rights.

• Note how even if the noun is a proper noun or a singular noun, if it ends in s, it only gets an apostrophe.

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When NOT to Use

DO NOT use apostrophes to pluralize acronyms or proper nouns. Use regular rules for pluralization.

Example
Correct: You'll want to avoid FRs.
Incorrect: You'll want to avoid FR's.
Correct: We have reason to fear the Sarumans of the world.
Incorrect: We have reason to fear the Saruman's of the world.

Special Exception
The one exception to this rule relates to pluralization of single letters. In this case, it may be appropriate to use the apostrophe to avoid an otherwise confusing phrase. Use your best judgment to decide if the context requires a pluralized apostrophe to preserve clarity.

Example
I got all A's this semester. (to avoid being read as "I got all as this semester.")
Mind your p's and q's. (Merriam Webster Dictionary defines this phrase using apostrophes)
Dot your i's. (to avoid being read as "Dot your is.")

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Special Content

Occasionally, you may come across a proper noun that uses apostrophes counter to what general grammar dictates or what this document says. In the case of proper nouns, it's imperative to retain the entire intended formatting.

Example
The B-52's (a band whose name consistently uses an apostrophe)
Cam’ron (a musical artist whose stage name consistently requires the apostrophe)
Court Of Hero's (a real Florida restaurant. It's unclear why the apostrophe is used this way, but we'd still retain the exact intended formatting for scribing purposes)

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