Use an apostrophe + S ('s) to show that one person/thing owns or is a member of something.

• Lisa's car

• child's toy

• Bess's raincoat (Bess' raincoat is also acceptable.)

• week's assignments

Use an apostrophe after the "s" at the end of a plural noun to show possession.

• The dogs' leashes are missing. (This shows that there is more than one dog.)

• It is the parents' decision. (This shows that there is more than one parent making the decision.)

• The students' passwords have changed. (This shows that there is more than one student and their passwords have changed.)

If a plural noun doesn't end in "s," add an apostrophe + "s" to create the possessive form.

• children's toys

• women's books

• firemen's trucks

When you combine two words to make a contraction, you will always take out some letters. In their place, use an apostrophe.

• you + are = you're

• it + is = it's

• they + are = they're

When one thing belongs to two or more people, make only the final name possessive.

• Bob and Jim’s bait shop (Bob and Jim co-own the same bait shop)

• Bill and Sandy's home (Bill and Sandy both own the home)

When you’re talking about separate things that belong to different people, make all the names possessive.

• Bob’s and Jim’s bait shops (Bob owns one bait shop and Jim owns a different one)

• Bill's and Sandy's homes (Bill and Sandy each have a home)

Use an apostrophe to take the place of the missing numbers or letters.

• I voted in ’16.

• A lot of great movies came out in the '90s.

• “I'm not talkin’ to you. I know you did somethin’ to her and I’ll find out."

Use an apostrophe to make letters and numbers plural, not words.

• I would be disappointed if your report card did not have A's on it.

• Be sure to cross your t’s and dot your i’s.

• Find all the number 7’s.