Definition of 

Apostrophe:

It is a figure of speech as well as a punctuation mark that is used for

possession/ ownership, contraction/ omission/ shortening in a sentence
related to a noun in singular. It also deals with plural nouns but in a different
way. The complete sign/mark of apostrophe is ‘s.

For Example;

Ali’s book.

It’s my calculator.

I have five students’ books.

Furthermore, a speaker or writer also uses an apostrophe mark for a person

who is not present or dead.

For example;

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

Uses and Rules of Apostrophe (‘s):

 An apostrophe can do several main things.

1. Apostrophe for Contraction/ Omission

The important use of an apostrophe and sign is to contract and shorten the words. After
contraction, the meanings of the words remain the same.

For Examples;

I did not eat the cookie.

I didn’t eat the cookie.

It is → It’s.

It has → It’s.

I have → I’ve

I had→ I’d
She will → she’ll

I had, I would → I’d

Here, you will decide by seeing the sentence whether the sentence belongs to a
simple (without a verb) or perfect sentence where we use 3 rd form of the verb
after has.

Simple Sentence: It is my financial organization.

Perfect Tense Sentence: It has become part and parcel of my financial

organization.

In both sentences, the apostrophe marks of both sentences will be (‘s) whether
the sentence is simple or perfect tense.

So “did not” contracted, shrunk, or shortened to didn’t. 

2. Apostrophe for Possession (shows ownership):

Generally, it replaces the word “of” but gives the same meanings.

The dramas of Shakespeare are very interesting.

Shakespeare’s dramas are very interesting.

Remember, above both sentences are correct.

That’s Smith’s bat.

The bat belongs to Smith.

3. To Pluralizes (Happens very rarely):

If the noun is in plural form, use only apostrophe sign/mark ignoring “s”.

For Example;

Books to books’

Bus buses’
Jacks’ bike is broken.

Her cats’ toys are beautiful.

These are bags’s zips. (Incorrect)

These are books’s covers. (Incorrect)

These are bags’ zips. (Correct)

These are books’ covers. (Correct)

4. For Compound Words:

If there is a compound word, use the apostrophe in the last part of that word.

For Example;

Sister-in-law’s marriage.

Brother-in-law’s.

Mother-in-law’s.

My mother-in-laws cooking skills are very effective. (Incorrect)

My mother-in-law’s cooking skills are very effective. (Correct)

5. Apostrophe For Multiple Nouns/ Pronouns or Joint Ownership:

If there is more than one subject (nouns), use apostrophe with the second
noun.

For Example;

Umar’s and Rashid’s accounts. (Incorrect)

Umar and Rashid’s accounts.  (Correct)

6. Irregular Noun /Plural Nouns doesn’t have S at the end:

If we have plural nouns that do not end with (s), such nouns are also called
irregular nouns. So, we can use apostrophes and signs with such plural nouns.
Examples of Plural Nouns:

Child children

Woman women

Wife wives

Examples of Apostrophe for Irregular Nouns:

My children’s toy.

The women’s rights.

The women’s duties.

Apostrophe and Possessive Pronouns:

According to rules, we cannot use both apostrophe and sign while using a
possessive pronoun.

For Examples;

1. It’s my book.

It's my’s book. (Incorrect)

It's my’s. (Incorrect)

It’s mine.  (Correct)

2. It’s your financial magazine.

It’s yours.

Remember, yours = your financial magazine.

Similarly,

3. These are our uniforms.

These are ours.

Ours= our uniforms.

Another Example;

4. It was her fork.

It was hers.

Hers= her fork.

5. It’s his car.

It is his.

We can’t use apostrophe and sign with possessive pronoun “his”.

So,

His= his car.

You may also learn:

Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples

Punctuations and Its Uses/Applications

Article and Its Kinds

Adverbs and Its Kinds

Adjective and Types