Apostrophes in time (temporal) expressions

Apostrophes are used in time expressions such as 2 days' leave.

When it is one measure of time, the apostrophe goes before the s (e.g., one day's pay). When it is more than one measure of time, it goes afterwards (e.g., two days' pay).

Apostrophes in Time (Temporal) Expressions

Apostrophes are used in time expressions such as 3 years' insurance (also called temporal expressions). In a temporal expression, the apostrophe is positioned before the s for single units of time and after for multiple units of time.

Examples:

I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.

(Thomas A. Edison)

(one day - apostrophe before the s)

Alan was given one day's notice.

(one day - apostrophe before the s)

That is the equivalent of one year's pay.

(one year - apostrophe before the s)

My car came with a years' free insurance.

[correct the example]
(one year - apostrophe should be before the s)

There is six months' interest-free credit on all sofas.

These are both correct.
(newspaper clipping)

This is wrong. It should be 3 months' mobile insurance.
(newspaper clipping)

This is wrong. It should be 4 years' free credit.
(newspaper clipping)

Applicants should have at least 3 year's experience.

[correct the example]
(three years - apostrophe should be after the s)

Take the test on apostrophes in time expressions.

DO NOT USE APOSTROPHES FOR ALL TIME EXPRESSIONS – ONLY WHEN THEY COULD REPLACE THE WORD OF

The following do not have any apostrophes in them:

I lived in Africa for 3 years.
She has six months left to run on her
loan.

This point causes confusion amongst many. As a rule, you should only use an apostrophe in an expression where the word of might have been used. For example:

six months' insurance (six months of insurance)
a day's leave (a day of leave)
She has six months' left to run on her loan.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT TIME

The vast majority of these expressions are time expressions, but some relate to value and distance too:

10 pounds' worth of potatoes and 1 pound's worth of onions
a stone's throw away

Punctuation

Parts of Speech

Confused Words

Common Mistakes

Apostrophes in Time (Temporal) Expressions

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