Where should apostrophes be used in contractions and possessives?

Where should apostrophes be used in contractions and possessives?

• A. In contractions to show missing letters; in possessives to show ownership (e.g., girl's book).
• B. In contractions to show ownership; in possessives to show missing letters.
• C. In contractions and possessives, apostrophes are optional.
• D. In contractions, apostrophes are not used; in possessives, also not used.

Answer: (A)

Apostrophes show missing letters in contractions and show ownership in possessives. In contractions, the apostrophe takes the place of letters that were left out, as in can’t from cannot, it’s from it is, and you’re from you are. In possessives, the apostrophe marks who something belongs to: the girl’s book means the book belongs to the girl. For plural owners, you add the apostrophe after the s, as in the girls’ book. These uses are both standard and help avoid confusion in meaning. The idea that apostrophes aren’t needed in contractions or possessives isn’t correct, and saying they’re optional would blur who owns something or which letters were omitted.

Apostrophes show missing letters in contractions and show ownership in possessives. In contractions, the apostrophe takes the place of letters that were left out, as in can’t from cannot, it’s from it is, and you’re from you are. In possessives, the apostrophe marks who something belongs to: the girl’s book means the book belongs to the girl. For plural owners, you add the apostrophe after the s, as in the girls’ book. These uses are both standard and help avoid confusion in meaning. The idea that apostrophes aren’t needed in contractions or possessives isn’t correct, and saying they’re optional would blur who owns something or which letters were omitted.