5 Important Apostrophe Rules

1. THERE/THEY’RE/THEIR

There – a place/location; (There is my favourite restaurant.)

They’re – they are; (They’re the best people I have ever met.)

Their – belonging to more than one person; (Their dog is so sweet.)

2. YOUR/YOU’RE

Your – the possessive form of “you”; (Your writing is amazing.)

You’re – you are; (You’re amazing.)

3. ITS/IT’S

Its – the possessive form of “it”; (The chameleon changes the colour of its skin.)

It’s – it is; (It’s a great book.)

4. WHO’S/WHOSE

Who’s – who is; (Who’s there?)

Whose – the possessive form of “whom”; (“And whose fault is that”?)

5. THE RANDOM APOSTROPHE

Don’t use an apostrophe + s to make a regular noun plural.

INCORRECT: I would love to plant some more tree’s.

CORRECT: I would love to plant some more trees.

The personal pronouns never take an apostrophe.

INCORRECT: Talking to one’s self in public is odd.

CORRECT: Talking to oneself in public is odd.

Never use apostrophes with adjectives.

INCORRECT: He’s a United State’s citizen.

CORRECT: He’s a United States citizen.