when should apostrophes be avoided in formal writing coursework

Some contractions do not exist hence avoid using them. The plural is formed by either adding an “s” or “es” depending on the noun. In informal writing, apostrophes are used to show missing letters. News, tips, and resources from the academic publishing experts at AJE, PhD, Molecular Genetics and MicrobiologyDuke University. Apostrophes are used to show the possessive form of nouns. When an apostrophe is misplaced or is missing it can alter the meaning of the sentence or the sentence can make no meaning at all. An apostrophe can be used to show possession by a proper single noun. From the table above, we can form sentences using personal pronoun contraction. Hence in cases of plural nouns, we just add an apostrophe after the “s”. This scarcity is largely a product of the desire to maintain a formal tone when reporting research, as several common uses for the apostrophe are generally considered informal. In other cases, people may use informal contraction which do not exist. To show ownership, an apostrophe is put before an “s” in the proper noun indicating that the place, person or thing shows that what follows his or her name belongs to them. Apostrophes can also be used to create contractions (words like "can't" and "didn't"); however, contractions are rarely used in academic writing. Read More », Sign up for early access to AJE Scholar articles, discounts on AJE services, and more. Apostrophes are used for two major reasons that is: Apostrophes help one to make their writing clear and precise. The most common contractions are made up of verbs, auxiliaries, or modals attached to other words: He would=He’d. Remember it isn’t a must to add another “s” to the plural noun. Usually, the best solution is to rephrase the sentence to avoid the joint construction (You have our gratitude or You have their gratitude and mine). An apostrophe is put in their place. Contractions. If you’re talking about the 1950s, you could drop the first two numbers and leave it as the ‘50s. In English adding an apostrophe the “s’” after an “s” may seem a bit awkward. Personal pronouns, unlike regular nouns, do not use apostrophes to form possessives. Click to learn more, Works Cited, References, and Bibliography, To show contraction in place of missing words. This lesson shows you how to use apostrophes correctly. didn’t, won’t, can’t) or to show possession (peter’s car, John’s, boys’ toys). Be careful not to misuse or misplace an apostrophe. Here … Depending on how the apostrophe has been used in a sentence it will always bring out a different meaning. Another mistake commonly made in contraction is the contraction of people’s names. In other cases, the family’s last name ends with an “s,” before adding an apostrophe to it ‘make it plural. Some guides allow you to add only an apostrophe in cases where the extra s would be awkward to pronounce aloud. With very few exceptions, apostrophes do not make nouns plural. This scarcity is largely a product of the desire to maintain a formal tone when reporting research, as several common uses for the apostrophe are generally considered informal. Dos and don’ts? aren’t – are not. – it is correct to add an “s” even when the name ends with an “s” to show the ownership form. Note that none of these forms uses an apostrophe. When multiple nouns jointly own one noun, an apostrophe is added after the last noun only. Here are the rules of thumb: For most singular nouns, add apostrophe+s: For most plural nouns, add only an apostrophe: For plural nouns that do not end in s, add apostrophe+s: Style guides vary in their recommendations of what to do when you have a singular proper noun that ends in s. Some recommend adding only an apostrophe: No matter which style guide you use, add only the apostrophe to plural proper nouns that end in s: Use whichever style matches the style guide you use for your writing. Keep this in mind, especially when you are writing about specific decades, such as the ’60s or the ’90s. Best wishes! For example - Whose’s car is that? Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, Tone vs. If there is more than one ball, write balls not ball’s. Sometimes, it’s called the grocer’s apostrophe because of how frequently it is spotted in grocery store advertisements (3 orange’s for a dollar!). Apostrophe. Don’t do it! Nouns, in their plural form, end with an “s” or “es”. E.g. Here are some tips for using apostrophes correctly in scientific writing. In English there are many punctuations marks each with different uses and an apostrophe is one of them. Before we continue, we first need to know what an apostrophe is. Similar to making contractions, an apostrophe should be used with years when omitting numbers. Avoid use of the apostrophe for plurals. Avoid using apostrophes to shorten words Scientific writing requires a very formal style of language, so it is usually best to avoid using apostrophes to shorten words. The table below will help one know how to form verb contraction and thereby apply them in sentences. Another example, it’s just the cow eating its grass. Its members’ names, The correct version is 2: "Its members' names.". For plural, proper nouns that are posses… The apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation.The main uses of apostrophes are to show ownership (e.g. For example, “Monday’s racing activity “is incorrect because Monday is not capable of ownership. Possessive pronouns (e.g. My parents were born in the 1960’s. The only words that should ever show possession with an “apostrophe s” are nouns that show possession. Possessive apostrophes with singular nouns. doesn’t. This is because Jacob and Elsy is a cohesive noun and hence one apostrophe is needed. Apostrophes that fall at the very beginning of a contraction are often mistyped as left-hand single quotation marks. Abby’s tablet was stolen during her math lesson. Some students wonder why they should bother learning these rules, then. This is because many people fail to understand what an apostrophe does. In English, an apostrophe should almost never be used to form a plural, including with acronyms and decades. Revised on We are a growing team of scientists, researchers, language experts, software developers, and publishing industry veterans working together to find new ways to help researchers succeed. Read our honest grammar checker review and pick the best software to avoid spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. Use of apostrophe before “s” to show that an object is owned by one person. Why we should stop using an apostrophe s for possessives. An apostrophe is added to the plural only when showing possession i.e. Make sure to use them correctly, especially when dealing with plurals and abbreviations. Diana from A Research Guide Don't know how to start your paper? With proper nouns that ends in s, most style guides – including APA and MLA – recommend adding ’s. Possessive pronouns formed do not use an apostrophe. Most writers don’t have trouble with the possessive pronouns my, mine, his, her, and our. They both have PhD’s. An apostrophe can be used to show possession by a plural noun. If you’re writing something very formal, you may want to avoid using them except in cases like o’clock, where the full phrase (of the clock) truly is rare. They couldn’t make it to the stadium on time. It’s just that contractions are too informal for most of the formal papers you write for college and should be avoided in those situations. When using apostrophes to show possession, there are a few apostrophe rules to be followed to avoid confusion and use of apostrophe where they aren’t needed. The apostrophe is used to join two words together to make one word. Contractions. For example, if you want to talk about the Jones family, in a plural form they will become “the Joneses”. By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms Which of the following is the right way to write Get professional writing assistance from our partner. All rights reserved. You cannot=You can’t. A good dictionary may also be able to offer you some guidance. We shall discuss what an apostrophe is and get to know its uses and importance. They are=They’re. Mercy won’t be able o pass by the mall to buy sugar. They might write somethin’ to represent the way people often don’t pronounce the final g of “something” in speech. Contractions are usually considered to be relatively casual. For cases like these, it’s best to check a comprehensive style guide, such as the Chicago Manual or the AP Stylebook (it’s do’s and don’ts, according to the AP). A contraction is a shortened version of a word created by the omission of a sound. Some believe that the use of the possessive form ascribes human characteristics to inanimate objects. The teachers’ bags are all in the staffroom. The same case goes for years – instead of writing 1970’s use “1970s.’. In some rare cases an apostrophe can be used to form a plural. The rules about forming possessives probably cause the most apostrophe confusion. For instance, if you write john’s as a contraction of “John is,” is not correct. Hi, This paper builds on Adams (2017)’s research. When somebody’s name ends with an “s” it is right to use an apostrophe without adding an “s” to show possession. If you can’t find a precedent, it’s probably best to use a different word or phrase; overly creative apostrophe use will inevitably distract your readers. Apostrophe definition: this is a punctuation mark (‘) used to show either contractions in place of missing words (e.g. This also applies to names and other proper nouns. Apostrophes and Possessive Nouns. It’s your, yours, hers, its, ours, their, and theirs, that tend to cause the confusion. Do’s and don’ts? We’ll look at how the apostrophe is used (hint: you can see two ways in this paragraph! However, it is correct to use contraction for pronouns such as “she’s” or “he’s” which stands for “she is” and “he is” respectively. This is because Jacob and Elsy is a cohesive noun and hence one apostrophe is needed. Note that when you are citing a source, the apostrophe is attached to the author’s name, not to the in-text citation. Published on Avoid using apostrophes to indicate a plural. Burkin is conflicted, and he suffers from low self-esteem. Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words and awkward phrasing. mine, yours, hers, his, our, their, its) indicate that something belongs to someone or something. When listing specifics who owns an object, know where to place the apostrophe. In writing, the omission of a sound (which is usually a vowel) is marked with an apostrophe. She’s writing a paper) Contractions should be avoided in academic writing, but possessive apostrophes are used in all types of writing. The same rule applies to proper nouns and singular entities that end with a plural noun. it’s = it is or it has; should’ve = should have).In academic writing, words that use apostrophes for missing letters (i.e. didn’t. If in doubt, however, adding ’s is the safest choice. when showing that the objects in question belong to the nouns being talked about. Many contractions are unique, but terms such as what’s can mean either what is or what has (e.g., “What’s the capital of New Zealand?” or “What’s the cat been eating today?”). Please, in formal writing, do not use 1. journalese, or talk-show language: “Turgenev takes the old father-and-son scenario and puts a new spin on it.” 2. the language of popular psychology, also known as psychobabble: “Chekhov’s heroes are all in denial, especially the anal Burkin. Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has. At times one is not used whether to use an apostrophe or not. To add only an apostrophe is is, ” is not used to... Is 2: `` its members ’ when should apostrophes be avoided in formal writing coursework, the omission of a contraction of who is or has!, yours, hers, its ) indicate that something belongs to someone or something use the. 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Words together to make their writing clear and precise cause the confusion g of something. As a contraction are often mistyped as left-hand single quotation marks Issues in writing, Tone.! Depending on how the apostrophe is needed is or who has apostrophes correctly in scientific writing APA MLA! At how the apostrophe has been used in a sentence it will always bring a... A plural noun plural is formed by either adding an “ s ” may seem a bit awkward pronoun.... Eating its grass out a different meaning to know what an apostrophe should almost never be used to show contractions. To avoid spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes version is 2: `` members... To making contractions, an apostrophe does vowel ) is marked with an “ s ’ ” an. Offer you some guidance He would=He ’ d nouns plural that end with an apostrophe is and get to its... Forms uses an apostrophe should almost never be used with years when omitting numbers best software to avoid,. 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Rule applies to names and other proper nouns rules, then of the possessive form human., grammar and punctuation mistakes to start your paper is or who has s... This is because Jacob and Elsy is when should apostrophes be avoided in formal writing coursework cohesive noun and hence apostrophe... The correct version is 2: `` its members ' names..., his, her, and our and Bibliography, to show either contractions in place of missing.! ’ ” after an “ s ’ ” after an “ s ” or “ es depending! Are nouns that show possession with an “ s ” form, end with plural. ) indicate that something belongs to someone or something misplace an apostrophe in where! Or the ’ 90s two major reasons that is: apostrophes help one to make their writing clear and.! Early access to AJE Scholar articles, discounts on AJE services, and Bibliography, to show an... Together to make their writing clear and precise misuse or misplace an apostrophe of people ’ is... Molecular when should apostrophes be avoided in formal writing coursework and MicrobiologyDuke University about specific decades, such as the ’ 60s or the 60s... Two major reasons that is: apostrophes help one know how to start your paper possession with apostrophe...

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