Using Apostrophes Correctly

Use the apostrophe to indicate the possessive form of a noun. Singular nouns are made possessive by adding an apostrophe and an s. If a plural noun already ends in s, add only an apostrophe; if a plural noun does not end in s, then follow the rule for singular nouns. 

NOUN POSSESSIVE
the student the student’s laptop
Saint Francis Saint Francis’s life
the bass the bass’s music
the students the students’ teacher
the children the children’s well-being

Possessive pronouns do not use an apostrophe (with the exception of the neutral one, which forms its possessive by adding ’s).

One of the most common errors involving the apostrophe is using it in the contraction you’re or it’s to indicate the possessive form of you or it, respectively. 

In general, contractions are not appropriate in formal writing. However, you will be writing quickly on the GRE, and your natural writing style may include using some contractions. Fortunately, their occasional use will not hurt your GRE Analytical Writing Measure score. If you use a contraction, be sure to place the apostrophe where the omitted letter would go.

  • CONTRACTED: They’d intended to address the question of equal rights, but they couldn’t get on the meeting’s agenda.
  • FULL FORM: They had intended to address the question of equal rights, but they could not get on the meeting’s agenda.

Using Apostrophes Correctly Practice Set

Read the sentences below and revise for appropriate apostrophe use.

  1. People should be allowed to keep their money and use it for the thing’s they want.

  2. Worker’s incomes will rise only if employees improve their skills through further training.