Here is a detailed list of examples illustrating Apostrophe Misuse, broken down by the most common errors.
1. Confusing "Its" vs. "It's"
This is the most common apostrophe error. Remember: It's is only a contraction for "it is" or "it has." Its is a possessive pronoun (like his or hers) and does not get an apostrophe.
Wrong: The dog chased it's tail.
Right: The dog chased its tail. (Showing possession: the tail belongs to it.)
Wrong: Its a beautiful day outside.
Right: It's a beautiful day outside. (Contraction of "it is.")
Wrong: I love this car because of it's color.
Right: I love this car because of its color.
2. Confusing "Your" vs. "You're"
Similar to the rule above: You're is a contraction for "you are." Your is a possessive pronoun.
Wrong: I think your going to love this movie.
Right: I think you're going to love this movie. (You are)
Wrong: Is this you're jacket?
Right: Is this your jacket? (The jacket belongs to you.)
3. Confusing "Whose" vs. "Who's"
Wrong: Whose coming to dinner? (Asking "Who is" coming?)
Right: Who's coming to dinner? (Contraction of "who is.")
Wrong: Do you know who's car this is?
Right: Do you know whose car this is? (Asking who owns the car.)
4. Misusing Apostrophes with Plurals
Apostrophes are almost never used to make a word plural. This is often called the "greengrocer's apostrophe."
Wrong: I bought some apple's at the market.
Right: I bought some apples at the market.
Wrong: The 1990's were a great decade.
Right: The 1990s were a great decade. (Plural of a number/date.)
Wrong: Please remember to dot your i's and cross your t's. (This one is tricky! To avoid confusion, using an apostrophe for single letters is actually acceptable to make them plural. You will see this in style guides.)
Right: Please remember to dot your i's and cross your t's.
5. Misplacing the Apostrophe in Possessives
The placement of the apostrophe changes whether the noun is singular or plural.
Wrong: The childs toy was broken. (Missing the apostrophe entirely.)
Right: The child's toy was broken. (One child, one toy.)
Wrong: The childrens' playground is new. (Incorrect plural possessive form.)
Right: The children's playground is new. ("Children" is already plural, so you add 's to make it possessive.)
Wrong: The lady's coats are on sale. (If there are many ladies...)
Right: The ladies' coats are on sale. (Many ladies, many coats. The apostrophe goes after the "s.")
6. Using Apostrophes with Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns (his, hers, ours, yours, theirs, its) are already possessive and do not need an apostrophe.
Wrong: This book is her's.
Right: This book is hers.
Wrong: The decision was our's to make.
Right: The decision was ours to make.
Wrong: Is that dog their's?
Right: Is that dog theirs?
7. Confusing "Their," "There," and "They're"
Wrong: There going to be late.
Right: They're going to be late. (They are)
Wrong: I left my keys over they're.
Right: I left my keys over there.
Wrong: They're house is the blue one.
Right: Their house is the blue one. (Possession.)
8. Apostrophes in Contractions (Misplaced or Missing)
Wrong: Didnt you hear me?
Right: Didn't you hear me? (Missing apostrophe.)
Wrong: Ca'nt we just go home?
Right: Can't we just go home? (Apostrophe in the wrong place. It marks where the "no" in "cannot" was removed.)
Wrong: 'Twas the night before Christmas. (This is actually correct. It is a contraction of "It was." The apostrophe correctly marks the missing "I.")
Wrong: He would'nt say please.
Right: He wouldn't say please. (Apostrophe goes where the "o" is missing: would + not = wouldn't.)
