The 15 Fundamentals
Grammatical Tips that Will Help You Win
11
1. Apostrophes
General rule on possessives: to create a possessive of a singular noun, add ’s.
Thus: “Peter's Results”
Possessives of plural nouns ending in s: add just an apostrophe after the s.
Thus: “The students’ results”
Source: Jack Lynch, Grammar and Style Notes, University of South Australia http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/07118/grammar.htm
# 12
.
1. Apostrophes (cont’d)
Making Possessives
Singular noun ending in s: prefer s's:
Thus: “Chris's results”, “The class’s results”
Hint: write it how you say it.
Possessives of pronouns: no apostrophes. Thus:
theirs, not their's; hers, not her's; its, not it's.
Source: Jack Lynch, Grammar and Style Notes, University of South Australia http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/07118/grammar.htm 13
#
1. Apostrophes (cont’d)
Generally do NOT use apostrophes to create plurals.
To create a plural, usually just add s, not ‘s.* Compare:
|
Non- |
|
Possessive |
|
|
Possessive |
|
|
|
Singular |
Respondent |
Respondent’ |
|
|
|
|
|
s |
|
Plural |
Respondents |
Respondent |
|
|
Note: Of course, English |
contains exceptions to the |
|
||
|
s’ |
|
||
general rule where plurals are created without an “s”. |
||||
Examples: men, children. Our concern here is with |
14 |
|||
plurals using “s”. |
|
|
|
|
Real Examples (from
Bond students’ papers)
“The Respondent’s breached their duty of care.”
[there are several Respondents]
Correct: “The Respondents breached their duty of care.”
15
Real Examples
“Breach of Director’s Duties”
[heading discussing the duties of directors]
Correct: “Breach of Directors’
Duties”
16
Real Examples
“The Respondents actions”
[heading discussing the action of all of the Respondents] Correct: “The Respondents’ actions”
17
Real Examples
• “. . . the database of member’s IDs”
IDs” Correct: “the database of members’
18
2. It’s vs Its
The possessive form of 'it' is never written with an apostrophe.
We say, “Its name is . . .” or, “What is its name?”
It's is used for contractions of it is and it
has:
“It's time to work hard.” “It's been good to see you.”
19
2. It’s vs Its (cont’d)
TO RE-CAP:
•Possessives of pronouns: no apostrophes. Thus: its, not it's.
•It’s is a contraction: it is.
20