Apostrophes

We use apostrophes (’) for three main reasons.

Missing letters

It is used in writing a contraction to show the place of the omitted letters.

can’t (= cannot)
it’s (= it is)
I’d (= I would/had)
who’s (= who is/has)

Possessives

We use apostrophes in writing most possessives.

the girl’s father
three miles’ walk
two weeks’ work
my parents’ wedding

Possessive determiners and pronouns do not have apostrophes.

• This is yours. (NOT …your’s.)
• Whose is that coat? (NOT Who’s …)

Special plurals

Apostrophes are used in the plurals of letters, and often of numbers and abbreviations.

• Mind your p’s and q’s.
• It was in the early 1960’s.