Apostrophes have two main uses: Indicating possession (e.g., The student’s paper) Indicating a contraction (e.g., She’s writing a paper) Contractions should be avoided in academic writing, but possessive apostrophes are used in all types of writing.

Although there will always be minor disagreements about usage, these six guidelines should help you decide when to use apostrophes, where to put them, and when to leave them out altogether. Use apostrophes to form contractions, where two or more words are combined to form one, with letters omitted. The apostrophe replaces the omitted letter (s).

Apostrophe to show two words have been connected (contraction) We sometimes connect two words to make one shorter word. We use an apostrophe to show that we have left out one or more letters: do not → don’t They don’t like salt in their food.

I am – I’m: “I’m planning to write a book someday.” You are – You’re: “You’re going to have a lot of fun with your new puppy.” She is – She’s: “She’s always on time.” It is – It’s: “I can’t believe it’s snowing again.” Do not – Don’t: “I don’t like anchovies.”