Apostrophes in plurals (the grocers' apostrophe).

Do not be tempted to use an apostrophe just because a word ends in "s".

1. 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).

2. 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.

Hire two video's for Ł3.

(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)

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

Associated lessons:

Apostrophes in time (temporal) expressions
Apostrophes replace letters
Apostrophes to show the plural of abbreviations
Apostrophes show possession