The Apostrophe - how and when to use it

The Apostrophe - when to use it, and when not to!

What is an apostrophe?

An apostrophe is a small ' mark which frequently indicates where one or more letters have been left out of a written word. (The word "apostrophe" is derived from Ancient Greek words meaning roughly "the stroke of turning-away").

Some examples of its use include:

• I'm (I am)
• don't (do not)
• isn't (is not)
• can't (can not)

In written English, the apostrophe is used most commonly in two situations - missing letters, and possession.

Rules of Thumb

These will cover nearly all cases, and will help if you are unsure where or whether to use an apostrophe.