Apostrophes

1. Use an apostrophe with an s to form the possessive case of singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in s.
   • the boar's head
   • Mary's lamb
   • men's coats
   • children's shoes
   
   
2. Use an apostrophe without an s to form the possessive of plural nouns ending in s. To form the plural of singular nouns ending in s, use an apostrophe with or without the s (be consistent).
   • soldiers' quarters
   • boys' clothes
   • Charles' banana or Charles's banana
   
   
3. In forming possessives of compound nouns, use the apostrophe according to the logic of the construction.
   • John and Mary's new house (John and Mary have the same house.)
   • Rivers's and Jones's children or Rivers' and Jones' children
   
   
4. Use an apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters in contractions or the omission of digits in numerals.
   • isn't
   • don't
   • the class of '49
   
   
5. Use an apostrophe to indicate the plural of letters, numerals, signs, and words used as such.
   • Dot your i's and cross your t's.
   • His telephone number contains four 8's.
   • He uses too many and's.

• the dog of John = John's dog
• the spots of the glass = the glass's spots
• the uniforms of the team = the team's uniforms