Apostrophes Edit

Use straight apostrophes, the same character as a single quotation mark (‘). It is completely fine to use straight apostrophes in code snippets.

Use an apostrophe to indicate the letters omitted in contractions.

Examples

• I’m – I am.
• they’ve – they have.
• don’t – do not.

For more information, see Contractions.

Don’t use apostrophes to form plurals of nouns and abbreviations.

Examples

To pluralize a number, add an -s at the end without any apostrophe.

Examples

Don’t add an apostrophe and s in abbreviations of measurements to indicate plurality. For example, 50 mi or 10 mm; not 50 mis, 50 mi’s, 10 mms, or 10 mm’s.

Avoid pluralizing symbols, signs, and individual letters by adding an apostrophe and an s at the end.

Examples

For more information, see Plurals.

Use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of nouns. To form the possessive case of a singular noun, add an apostrophe and an s, even if the noun ends with an -s, -x, or -z. For plurals ending with an -s, add an apostrophe only.

Examples

• John’s software
• Buzz’s laptop
• application’s password
• bus’s architecture
• class’s description
• CSS’s file
• OEMs’ products
• business’ earnings
• classes’ declaration
• Jones’ programs

Exception: If a proper noun ends with an s, you can either use an apostrophe and s or just an apostrophe.
Exception: The possessive of it is its and doesn’t have an apostrophe. Be wary of common mistakes such as confusing you’re (a contraction for you are) with your, and its with it’s (a contraction for it is).

Don’t use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns.

Examples

Add an apostrophe and s to the end of a company, product, or brand name. In general, avoid forming possessives of company, product or brand names, regardless of who owns the name.

For more information, see Possessives.

Last updated: April 5, 2021