Source: arcamax.com via Jean on Pinterest   The second panel is an example of a construction called “a possessive with a gerundive.” Herb is referring to “the rolling of the Bumsteads,” so there should be an apostrophe after the “s”: the Bumsteads’ rolling.

Source: arcamax.com via Jean on Pinterest   Look at the first panel: “our boss’s retiring.” The extra s after boss is unusual – and correct. Most people would write “our boss’ retiring.” Also correct! Read the sentence aloud, and you’ll hear the extra s – that’s why many people like to include it. Your choice! [...]

Source: gocomics.com via Jean on Pinterest   Take a look at the third panel: “We’ll get to live in people’s houses.” The apostrophe is correct, and that’s extraordinary: Most people (hah!) misplace the apostrophe in people’s. Here’s the rule: Place the apostrophe after the last letter of a word. People ends in e, so that’s [...]

Source: arcamax.com via Jean on Pinterest   Is the apostrophe in “Brahms’ Lullaby” correct? Yes. Despite the complicated explanations you may have heard in school, apostrophes are simple: Make sure you have an “of” expression (Lullaby of Brahms), and put the apostrophe after the last letter of the word or name. “Brahms” ends in “s” [...]

Source: oregonlive.com via Jean on Pinterest   The apostrophe in “two cents’ worth” (lower panel on the left) is interesting. Apostrophes are used in “of” ideas. What’s the “of” here? “Worth of two cents.” It sounds odd to many people, but it’s correct.

Should you use an apostrophe when you write about “a good night’s sleep”? Yes. You’ve probably heard a teacher say that an apostrophe signifies ownership. That statement is correct, but it’s only part of the apostrophe story. Apostrophes signify “of” ideas. Mary’s car means “car of Mary.” Dennis’ dog means “dog of Dennis.” And so on. [...]

Is there an apostrophe in Presidents’ Day? Yes. Maybe. Rachel Maddow raised the question in her blog this morning: A strict grammarian (me!) would say the apostrophe is necessary: Day of Presidents’ = Presidents’ Day. Note that the apostrophe goes after the “s.” If you place it before the say, you would have Day of [...]

Some self-proclaimed (and ill-informed) grammar “experts” will try to tell you that apostrophes can be used only when there’s human ownership. My husband, a garden writer, has been chided for writing “the sycamore’s leaves” and “summer’s heat.” Hah! Glance at the calendar today and you’ll see an apostrophe in New Year’s Eve. Is it correct? [...]

The September 2 edition of the Huffington Post featured an article about Oprah Winfrey’s dislike for reality shows–an issue now that Carson Kressley, the host of an Oprah Winfrey Network show, will be a contestant on this season’s Dancing with the Stars. A sentence in the story caught my editor’s eye: the network “has the O’Neil’s [...]

“I have two mommies. I know where the apostrophe goes.” Yes, she does! Day of mother = Mother’s Day Day of mothers = Mothers’ Day To read more about apostrophes, click here. And a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies!