APOSTROPHES
With possessive nouns (except possessive pronouns):
A noun becomes possessive when it is used to show the ownership of something. Then you add ‘s to the word.
the man’s car the woman’s apartment
However, ownership doesn’t need to be legal.
the secretary’s desk the company’s assets
Also, ownership may be nothing more than an automatic association.
a day’s work the job’s prestige
An exception to the rule about adding ‘s to make a noun possessive occurs when the word is singular and already has two “s” sounds at the end. In cases like the following, an apostrophe is all that’s needed.
crisis’ dimensions Mr. Moses’ application
When the noun has only one “s” sound at the end, however, retain the ‘s.
Chris’s book Carolyn Nuss’s office
To form the possessive of plural nouns, just begin by following the same rule as with singular nouns: add ‘s. However, if the plural noun already ends in an s (as most do), drop the one you’ve added, leaving only the apostrophe.
the clients’ complaints employees’ benefits
With contractions (missing letters):
Use an apostrophe in place of the missing letter(s) of a contraction.
we will we’ll
do not don’t
they are they’re