Apostrophe Rant #1

When writer Jacquelyn Lynn learned about this blog, she asked if we can rant about apostrophes. Yes! That's just the kind of response I was hoping to elicit. So I invited her to have at it, and she did. Thanks, Jackie! And I invite all of you to contribute examples, too.

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One of the most misused punctuation marks is the apostrophe. This little symbol that looks like a comma but is at the top of [the] line has two purposes: to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word (does not, doesn’t), and to indicate the possessive case (belongs to Mary; Mary’s). Do not use an apostrophe when making a word plural.

Of course, like so many elements of English, there are a few exceptions. For example, you don’t need an apostrophe to make a personal pronoun possessive (mine, ours, your, yours, his, hers, its, theirs, whose). If you use an apostrophe with a pronoun, it should only be when the meaning calls for a contraction (you’re, it’s, there’s, who’s).

It amazes me how often the apostrophe is misused in published material that one would think has been proofread. The Apostrophe Protection Society has some great examples on its site at http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm. Here are just a few:

Parking – Resident’s and Visitor’s Only

Its all about passion

Reserved for Principals Office

Lush cosmetic’s, CD’s, video’s, book’s, gift’s

Dear Passenger’s:

Major Wedding Dresse’s Exhibition

Its the law

How would you like your’s done?

At best, an incorrect apostrophe is just funny; at worst, it changes—or essentially destroys—the meaning of a phrase or sentence. And it always makes a very telling and uncomplimentary remark about the writer.

Jacquelyn Lynn

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I'd love to see more examples of wild and amazing apostrophe abuse, so send 'em if you got 'em. Let's keep this list going!