When You Need an Apostrophe (And When You Don't)

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and here’s your regularly scheduled reminder that apostrophes do not make plurals. Apostrophes make possessives. In this case, the English language has been merciful to us. There are no exceptions to this rule. Apostrophes never make words plural. If you want to pluralize a word, there is no case, no exception, no circumstance in which you should add an apostrophe. Instead, simply add an s or an es. Or if you’re dealing with some fancy Latin word, like syllabus, add an i. But never, EVER add an apostrophe to pluralize a word. The opposite is true with possessives. For regular nouns, meaning nouns that aren’t pronouns, you must have an apostrophe. This rule is easy to remember: Apostrophes don’t pluralize. Apostrophes make possessives. That’s your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.