The dreaded apostrophe s

The apostrophe s ('s and s') is a big problem area for an increasing number of people. There is so much misuse of it that even people who have previously been comfortable with it are starting to doubt themselves. It seems to be used incorrectly almost as often as it is used correctly!

There are two purposes of the apostrophe s:

1. to replace the words is or has

The man's going to work
The man's had a bad day

2. to denote possession

When something belongs to one person or thing (singular):

The boy's coat
The town's mayor
The car's engine
The tenant's garage

When something belongs to two or more people or things (plural):

The boys' coats (More than one boy, each with a coat)
The cars' tyres (The tyres on more than one car)
The tenants' garages (More than one tenant; more than one garage)

Or when a single item belongs to more than one person or thing:

The boys' boat (More than one boy; one boat)
The tenants' garage (More than one tenant; one garage)

To be continued...