The proper use of apostrophe in English is often confusing for learners, yet mastering it is essential for writing with clarity and accuracy. Apostrophes show possession, indicate contractions, and sometimes mark plural forms. This guide explains rules, gives 100 clear examples with meanings, tips for exams, FAQs, and important notes every student must know.

Introduction to Proper Use of Apostrophe in English

The proper use of apostrophe in English is one of the most common areas where students and even professionals make mistakes. Apostrophes are used mainly to show possession, form contractions, and occasionally to indicate plural forms of letters, numbers, or symbols. Understanding these rules is crucial for clear communication and is especially important for students preparing for competitive examinations.

100 Examples of Proper Use of Apostrophe in English (With Meanings)

A. Apostrophes Showing Singular Possession (1–30)

1. The boy’s book → The book belongs to the boy.
2. The girl’s pen → The pen belongs to the girl.
3. The teacher’s desk → The desk belongs to the teacher.
4. The child’s toy → The toy belongs to the child.
5. The dog’s tail → The tail belongs to the dog.
6. The man’s car → The car belongs to the man.
7. The woman’s bag → The bag belongs to the woman.
8. The student’s notebook → The notebook belongs to the student.
9. The baby’s bottle → The bottle belongs to the baby.
10. The doctor’s advice → The advice given by the doctor.
11. The shop’s window → The window of the shop.
12. The lion’s roar → The roar of the lion.
13. The country’s flag → The flag of the country.
14. The city’s mayor → The mayor of the city.
15. The company’s policy → The policy of the company.
16. The artist’s painting → The painting of the artist.
17. The player’s performance → Performance of the player.
18. The officer’s duty → Duty of the officer.
19. The soldier’s uniform → Uniform of the soldier.
20. The judge’s decision → Decision made by the judge.
21. The author’s book → Book written by the author.
22. The singer’s voice → The voice of the singer.
23. The actor’s role → The role of the actor.
24. The king’s palace → The palace of the king.
25. The queen’s crown → The crown of the queen.
26. The driver’s license → License of the driver.
27. The farmer’s field → Field of the farmer.
28. The principal’s office → Office of the principal.
29. The nation’s pride → Pride of the nation.
30. The child’s smile → The smile of the child.

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B. Apostrophes Showing Plural Possession (31–50)

31. The boys’ hostel → Hostel of the boys.
32. The girls’ school → School for the girls.
33. The teachers’ lounge → Lounge belonging to teachers.
34. The players’ uniforms → Uniforms of the players.
35. The workers’ strike → Strike by the workers.
36. The farmers’ land → Land belonging to farmers.
37. The parents’ meeting → Meeting of the parents.
38. The students’ exam → Exam of the students.
39. The villagers’ houses → Houses of the villagers.
40. The soldiers’ camp → Camp of the soldiers.
41. The doctors’ association → Association of the doctors.
42. The engineers’ project → Project of the engineers.
43. The officers’ quarters → Quarters of the officers.
44. The neighbors’ complaint → Complaint of the neighbors.
45. The lawyers’ chamber → Chamber of the lawyers.
46. The ministers’ decision → Decision of the ministers.
47. The members’ vote → Vote of the members.
48. The customers’ feedback → Feedback from the customers.
49. The children’s park → Park for the children (irregular plural).
50. The men’s team → Team of men (irregular plural).

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C. Apostrophes in Contractions (51–80)

51. Don’t → Do not.
52. Can’t → Cannot.
53. Won’t → Will not.
54. It’s → It is / It has.
55. They’re → They are.
56. I’ll → I will.
57. She’s → She is / She has.
58. We’re → We are.
59. Haven’t → Have not.
60. Isn’t → Is not.
61. You’re → You are.
62. Wouldn’t → Would not.
63. Couldn’t → Could not.
64. Shouldn’t → Should not.
65. Doesn’t → Does not.
66. Didn’t → Did not.
67. Weren’t → Were not.
68. Wasn’t → Was not.
69. Let’s → Let us.
70. Who’s → Who is / Who has.
71. What’s → What is / What has.
72. There’s → There is / There has.
73. Here’s → Here is.
74. Where’s → Where is.
75. That’s → That is / That has.
76. I’d → I would / I had.
77. You’d → You would / You had.
78. He’d → He would / He had.
79. We’d → We would / We had.
80. They’d → They would / They had.

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D. Apostrophes in Plurals of Letters, Numbers & Symbols (81–90)

81. Mind your p’s and q’s → Be careful with small details.
82. She got all A’s in her exams → Referring to grades.
83. He always dots his i’s → Writes carefully.
84. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s → Pay attention to details.
85. The 1990’s fashion → Fashion of the 1990s.
86. The 1980’s music → Music of the 1980s.
87. There are two 7’s in my phone number → Plural of numbers.
88. He wrote three 5’s on the paper → Number plural.
89. Find all the &’s in the document → Plural of symbols.
90. How many s’s are in the word “mississippi”? → Plural of letters.

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E. Special Uses of Apostrophes (91–100)

91. Someone else’s idea → Idea belonging to someone else.
92. One week’s notice → Notice period of one week.
93. Today’s news → News of today.
94. Tomorrow’s meeting → Meeting for tomorrow.
95. Yesterday’s result → Result of yesterday.
96. Anybody’s guess → Guess of anybody.
97. Nobody’s fault → Fault of nobody.
98. Everybody’s responsibility → Responsibility of everyone.
99. Each person’s duty → Duty of each person.
100. Another’s loss → Loss of another.

Important Tips for Students & Exam Candidates

• Rule 1: Use an apostrophe + s (’s) for singular possession (e.g., the boy’s book).
• Rule 2: For plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe (e.g., the teachers’ lounge).
• Rule 3: For irregular plurals not ending in s, add ’s (e.g., children’s toys).
• Rule 4: Use apostrophes in contractions to replace missing letters (don’t = do not).
• Rule 5: Do not use apostrophes for normal plurals (e.g., “apples,” not “apple’s”).
• Rule 6: Pay attention to “its” vs “it’s.” (Its = possession, it’s = it is/it has).
• Rule 7: In competitive exams, apostrophe rules are often tested in error detection, sentence correction, and fill-in-the-blank sections.

FAQs on Proper Use of Apostrophe in English

Q1. What is the most common mistake in the proper use of apostrophe in English?
The most common mistake is using apostrophes for simple plurals, such as writing apple’s instead of apples.

Q2. How do I know whether to add just an apostrophe or ’s?
If the noun is singular, add ’s (the boy’s pen). If it’s plural ending in s, add only an apostrophe (the boys’ hostel).

Q3. Is “its” with apostrophe correct for possession?
No. Its (without apostrophe) shows possession. It’s means “it is” or “it has.”

Conclusion on Proper Use of Apostrophe in English

The proper use of apostrophe in English is an essential skill for clear communication. Apostrophes mainly show possession, form contractions, and indicate special plurals. By practicing the rules and examples provided here, students and exam candidates can avoid common errors and score better in written English sections.

Disclaimer on Proper Use of Apostrophe in English

This article is for educational purposes only. While examples and rules are accurate, usage can vary slightly depending on style guides (APA, MLA, etc.). Students are advised to follow exam-specific instructions or style guidelines if applicable.

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