The most butchered punctuation mark in the English language. Apostrophes are used
1) to
indicate contractions,
2) to indicate possession (in some cases), and
3) VERY occasionally to denote a plural (where otherwise the meaning of the sentence would be unclear).
The use of an apostrophe in the contraction "it's", (which means "it is"), but not in "its", (which is a possessive) causes problems for many people who didn't pass third grade.
1) to
indicate contractions,
2) to indicate possession (in some cases), and
3) VERY occasionally to denote a plural (where otherwise the meaning of the sentence would be unclear).
The use of an apostrophe in the contraction "it's", (which means "it is"), but not in "its", (which is a possessive) causes problems for many people who didn't pass third grade.
Incorrect: Screw you moran's. Go USA.
Incorrect: Its raining cat's and dog's.
Incorrect: Here come's the train. Grab it's cargo.
Correct: Don't go in that room.
Correct: The cat's litter box is dirty.
Correct: Mind your p's and q's.
(the above is one of the ONLY CORRECT USES OF AN APOSTROPHE TO DENOTE A PLURAL. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU'RE UNSURE, JUST LEAVE THE APOSTROPHE OUT.)
Incorrect: Its raining cat's and dog's.
Incorrect: Here come's the train. Grab it's cargo.
Correct: Don't go in that room.
Correct: The cat's litter box is dirty.
Correct: Mind your p's and q's.
(the above is one of the ONLY CORRECT USES OF AN APOSTROPHE TO DENOTE A PLURAL. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU'RE UNSURE, JUST LEAVE THE APOSTROPHE OUT.)
by supaDISC February 24, 2005
Get the apostophe mug.What you say when you see one of the most heinous crimes against the english language known to man. It's when an apostrophe is put in a plural noun (WHERE IT DOESN'T BELONG!), therefore indicating that the noun somehow owns something...
sign: BOOK'S FOR SALE!
my smart friend: SHEILD YOUR EYES! APOSTROPHE CRIME!
me: *smacks forehead* So... that book owns a for sale? That's interesting... MY GOD PEOPLE WHEN WILL YOU LEARN!?!?
my smart friend: SHEILD YOUR EYES! APOSTROPHE CRIME!
me: *smacks forehead* So... that book owns a for sale? That's interesting... MY GOD PEOPLE WHEN WILL YOU LEARN!?!?
by brittandherllama January 11, 2006
Get the apostrophe crime mug.Related Words
A punctuation mark used to create a plural by grocers on blackboards, despite being unnecessary for the rest of the population.
Apple's 70p per pound
Special offer on raspberrie's and and banana's
The grocer's apostrophe can be also be used in other situation's by tho'se who don't know any better
Special offer on raspberrie's and and banana's
The grocer's apostrophe can be also be used in other situation's by tho'se who don't know any better
by da grammar police June 4, 2010
Get the grocer's apostrophe mug.the use of an apostrophe in the naming of aliens in science fiction. Extremely prevalent in turning a common name into an alien-esque name.
Author: "hmm. I need a name for this alien in my book"
Friend: "How about... Jon?"
Author: "No. I will use J'on!"
Friend: "Ah, the use of the alien apostrophe, like Kal'el, Jor'el, Teal'c, Bra'tac, D'on...
Friend: "How about... Jon?"
Author: "No. I will use J'on!"
Friend: "Ah, the use of the alien apostrophe, like Kal'el, Jor'el, Teal'c, Bra'tac, D'on...
by srav May 3, 2009
Get the alien apostrophe mug.by Perskeptive November 15, 2018
Get the Apostaphobia mug.Eric has a bad case of apostrophitis- he keeps writing things like, "GREAT DEAL'S ON EVERYTHING" and "Available in 12 color's" and "He gave it back to it's owner".
by bethidee April 13, 2008
Get the apostrophitis mug.The needless insertion of a silent apostrophe into a place, race or character name in a work of fantasy fiction. The fantasy apostrophe is intended to give mystique and gravitas to an otherwise stupid sounding made-up name. However, it is not always successful in this regard.
See also: Heavy Metal Umlaut
See also: Heavy Metal Umlaut
Tom - What you reading, Geoff?
Geoff - I've just started the G'dorf Trilogy
Tom - Any good?
Geoff - Well, there's this dude called Kar'El, a J'olara trader from the Ava'pia region. He's got to get an amazing S'word which will kill all his enemies, the Z'Goff.
Tom - Fantasy Apostrophe overload?
Geoff - Lucky I didn't mention the B'Z'or'ef
Geoff - I've just started the G'dorf Trilogy
Tom - Any good?
Geoff - Well, there's this dude called Kar'El, a J'olara trader from the Ava'pia region. He's got to get an amazing S'word which will kill all his enemies, the Z'Goff.
Tom - Fantasy Apostrophe overload?
Geoff - Lucky I didn't mention the B'Z'or'ef
by tomh2 December 1, 2010
Get the Fantasy Apostrophe mug.