One of the best ways to set an editor's teeth on edge is to misuse apostrophes, so I'm going to give you a quick lesson here on the appropriate use of this much-maligned punctuation mark. Although the proper use of apostrophes won't get you published, apostrophe abuse will mark you to an editor as someone whose writing is less than professional, so it is worth your while to learn this stuff. It's not just fussiness!
CONTRACTIONS: An apostrophe in a contraction indicates that two or more words have been contracted into one word with some letters missing, as in: you'll = you will, I'm = I am, She'd've = she would have, etc. Note that it's (with an apostrophe) means only "it is" (see Pronoun Problems, below).
POSSESSIVES: An apostrophe followed by an s indicates possessive, as in: Woody is Janet's dog. The possessive of a plural noun allows for the apostrophe to follow the plural without an additional s, as in: The editors' screams could be heard down the hall from their conference.
PROPER NAMES PLURALIZED: The apostrophe should never be used to pluralize a proper name. Therefore, it is: Say three Hail Marys, or The Baxters are not home. (Note, however, that The Baxters' house follows the rule for plural possessives, above.)
LETTERS/NUMBERS PLURALIZED: Just add an s, no apostrophe, as in: CODs, RRs, In ones and twos, and She was a hippie in the 1960s. If you are leaving out numbers in a year or decade, use the apostrophe where the missing numbers go: It happened in ‘92 or ‘93, not in the ‘80s.
PRONOUN PROBLEMS: Related to apostrophe abuse are common errors regarding certain pronouns; please learn to distinguish which form is called for by your text:
It's/its: Use an apostrophe if it's is a contraction of "it is" – It's not my job – but not for the possessive – The cat tried to catch its own tail.
They're, their, there: The contraction of "they are" is they're –They're going to be late again. The possessive of "they" is their – That is their problem. The reference to place is there – Go over there.
You're, your: The contraction of "you are" is you're – You're going to get the hang of this eventually. The possessive of "you" is your – Your son dug up my flowers.
Who's, whose: The contraction of "who is" is who's – Who's paying attention here? The possessive of "who" is whose – Whose book is this?
ONLY YOU CAN STOP APOSTROPHE ABUSE!
About the Author
CAROL HEGBERG is an internationally published, award-winning writer and content editor. Her novel is entitled Pen Pals. Her non-fiction book is Rochelle. Her poetry, scripts, short stories, and articles have been published in many magazines and books. Carol knows the endurance, tenacity, and patience a writer must possess to become published. Beginning writers, published authors, agents with needy clients, and publishers who need developmental editing for their writers use her services. She helps rewrite speeches, short stories or collections, articles, essays, and manuscripts. She helps develop inspirational, Christian, and picture-book manuscripts, children and young-adult fiction and nonfiction. She's available for writing help with manuscript submissions, query letters, and book proposals.
Developmental editing, rewriting, mentoring
Juvenile & young adult fiction/nonfiction, Christian topics
"Carol breathed life into my top-selling children's story with her wonderful way with words." Nancy S. Mure, author of Irregular Joe
6. Describe your project: (e.g., book, business document, dissertation)
7. Describe the level of writing or editing required: (e.g., copyediting, proofreading, content editing, fact-checking, ghostwriting, formatting)
8. Current word count of document:
9. Your deadline date:
10. Required manual of style, if any: (e.g., Chicago Manual, APA, MLA, AP, AAA, CBE/CSE)
11. If you are a student, please provide the URL of your university's style manual:
12. Number of charts, tables, and pictures: ____________ Do you need them edited and/or formatted?
13. Do you have a budget for the project? (Please be specific.)
14. Number of footnotes and entries in reference list:
15. Do you want to contact a particular writer/editor?
16. How did you learn about our service?
Attach a sample chapter/section or other important documents related to your project. Please zip large files (max 1MB)
YOUR NAME MUST BE IN YOUR SAMPLE DOCUMENT OR IT CAN BE THE FILE NAME (e.g., johnsmith.doc).
A sample of the material is required to receive a quote for services. If you did not send a sample and/or description of the project with your first submission, please resend.
Once your e-mail is received, the network coordinator will forward it (plus any attached files) to the consultants you selected. If no selection is made, your submission will be forwarded to several consultants who might be a good match. Final choice of consultant is yours.
If you do not receive a response within 3 hours (M-F, 7a-7p Eastern), please RESEND your submission. You may also use the chat button or leave a message: 469-789-3030.
Allow a longer response time if you sent your submission during the weekend or after U.S. business hours.
All of the consultants listed on this site are freelance. They are located throughout the U.S. The coordinator cannot answer cost/timeframe questions for each consultant. You must go through the submission process to receive direct responses from the consultants listed on this site.
