Types of Apostrophes: An Introduction, Explanations, and Examples

An apostrophe is a comma-looking punctuation mark in English with a variety of uses.

In this article, we will introduce apostrophes and explore their different types with explanations and examples.

What is an Apostrophe?

An apostrophe is this ( ’ ) small punctuation mark in English, similar to a comma, used to show possession or relation between two entities, contract words, and form plurals.

1. Definition:

Apostrophe (’) is a punctuation mark used to show either a possession or relation (between two persons or things) or an omission of letters in words or numbers (also referred to as contractions).

2. Appearance:

An apostrophe (’) looks like a small dot with a tail extending downwards.

i. Similarity to Other Punctuation Marks

An apostrophe looks like a comma (,) but lifted up.

It is essentially the same mark as the second mark in a pair of single quotation marks (‘’), which is why it is sometimes referred to as a “single quote.” The only difference is that single quotation marks are always used in pairs (‘’). However, when used without this pairing, the punctuation mark becomes an apostrophe (’).

ii. Types of Apostrophes in Terms of Style

Like quotation marks, an apostrophe can either be straight (') or curved (’). The curved apostrophe is also called the typesetter or typographer’s apostrophe.

iii. Style Variations

Different font types feature apostrophes in slightly varying styles, like some with a pointed tail and others with a blunt tail.

3. Placement:

Unlike a comma, which hangs below the line, an apostrophe sits above a letter at its corner (i.e., a’ or ’a) with a tiny gap.

4. Uses:

Apostrophes have the following uses:

To form possessive nouns, which can:

• show an ownership or possession of a thing or quality (e.g., the cat’s room, the cat’s cuteness).
• show a relationship or association (e.g., Kay’s brother).

To contract words or numbers (e.g., Good ol’ days.).

To form plurals of words, numbers, digits, and symbols (e.g., 2’s and 3’s)

Types of Apostrophes

There are two types of apostrophes:

• Possessive Apostrophe

• Contraction Apostrophe

1. Possessive Apostrophes

A possessive apostrophe is mainly used to turn nouns into their possessive cases to show that it owns a thing or quality (e.g., a cat’s toy.). It can also be used to show a relationship or association of the noun with someone or something (e.g., Yumna’s sister).

Here are some examples of the uses of the possessive apostrophe:

Showing an ownership or possession:

• The cow’s fodder (i.e., the fodder of the cow)

• The bird’s feather (i.e., the feather of the bird)

• “That is my brother’s bicycle.” (meaning “That bicycle is owned by my brother.”)

Showing a relationship or association:

• Albert’s mom (the mother who is related to Albert)

• The school’s peon (the peon who belongs to the school)

• The ocean’s terrific nature (The terrific nature associated with the ocean)

2. Contraction Apostrophes

A contraction apostrophe is used to contract words (e.g., can’t) or numbers (e.g., ’80) by omitting one or more alphabets or digits, respectively. 

Here are some examples of the contraction apostrophes used for contraction:

Contracting words:

• They’re (they are)

• ’cause (because)

• It’s (it is)

Contracting numbers:

• ’80 (1980s)

• ’05 (2005)

Another use of contraction apostrophes is to form plurals of words, numbers, letters, and symbols, though this use is rare and is employed in very specific cases.

Pluralize words when treated as nouns:

• “Everyone said their share of ‘good-morning’s.”

• “She doesn’t like to hear if’s and but’s.”

• “The cow only says moo’s.”

• “The judge said a lot of “order’s” but none listened.”

• a’s (more than one a)

• b’s (more than one b)

• “Students only got C’s and D’s in their exams.”

Pluralize digits:

• “9’s and 10’s”

• “My cousin got three 100’s in exams.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are two types of apostrophes: possessive apostrophe and contraction apostrophe. A possessive apostrophe is used to show an ownership or possession of something by a noun while a contraction apostrophe is used to show an omission of letters in words or numbers.