When to Use Apostrophes
The rules about when to use apostrophes can be summarised:
a. To replace missing letters (e.g.,
aren't).
b. To show possession (e.g., Sarah's
jumper).
c. In expressions such
as 3 months' wages.
d. In the plurals of
abbreviations, letters and numbers (e.g., 6's and 7's).
Don't Add Your Own Apostrophe to a Plural Word
Unless it is covered by one of the categories above, an apostrophe should not be used. However, words that end in the letter
s seem to attract apostrophes. The plural of words ending in vowels (e.g.,
video, patio) are extremely prone to this error. This is a very common mistake and is considered a grammatical howler.
Examples:
 Hire two video's for £3.
 (videos
 )
Three large male lion's approached the 4x4.
(lions
)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's.
(Dwarfs
)
should be cameras
(motorway sign)
should be "Ministers are very...
(newspaper article)
Their board genuinely stated: "Open seven day's a week and weekend's".
(days / weekends
)
She fly's to New York regularly.
(flies
)
There are 24 applicant's waiting in the coffee room.
[correct the example]
(do
not use an apostrophe just because a word ends in s)
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DO NOT USE AN APOSTROPHES JUST BECAUSE A WORD ENDS IN S
In English, the overwhelming majority of words show their plurals by adding s.
Do not throw in your own apostrophe.
As fruit and vegetable stalls often display this error, it has come to be known
as the grocers' apostrophe.
 2
melon's for a pound
1 kg of apple's
for a dollar
signs on market stalls are often
littered with
apostrophe errors
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Common grammar errors
