The punctuation mark (‘) is
called apostrophe. It has the
following functions.
In writing a contraction
The apostrophe is used in writing a contraction.
It shows the place of the omitted letters. Examples are: it’s (for it is or it has), hasn’t
(for has not) and doesn’t (for does
not).
The apostrophe is also used
in writing certain words which were formerly contractions. Example: o’clock
In writing most possessives
The apostrophe is used in writing most
possessives.
Jane’s
mother Peter’s
car Children’s
books two
weeks’ vacation
Note that the apostrophe is not used in writing
the possessive forms of most pronouns.
The cat
closed its eyes. (NOT The cat closed
it’s eyes.) Whose bag is this? (NOT Who’se
bag is this?) These
toys are hers. (NOT These toys are
her’s.)
In writing the plurals of letters
Although
the apostrophe is not used in writing plurals, it is used in writing the
plurals of letters and other forms which would be difficult to read without the
apostrophe.
Dot the i’s and cross the t’s Mind your
p’s and q’s