As a business person, it's important to have strong writing skills, and one of the most common punctuation marks that can trip people up is the apostrophe. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession, contractions, and certain plural forms, but they can be tricky to use correctly. Here are some common mistakes people make when using apostrophes:
Using Apostrophes to Make Plurals
One of the most common apostrophe mistakes is using it to make plurals, which is incorrect. Apostrophes are only used to show possession or contractions, not to indicate plurals. For example:
Incorrect: We have 20 laptop's in stock.
Correct: We have 20 laptops in stock.
Using Apostrophes with Pronouns
Pronouns, like "its," "theirs," and "yours," don't need apostrophes to show possession. In fact, using an apostrophe with these words is incorrect. For example:
Incorrect: The company lost it's biggest client.*
Correct: The company lost its biggest client.
Confusing Its and It's
"Its" and "it's" are two words that are frequently confused, but they have different meanings. "Its" is used to show possession, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." For example:
Incorrect: The company reached it's sales target for the quarter.
Correct: The company reached its sales target for the quarter.
Incorrectly Placing Apostrophes with Names Ending in "s"
When a name ends in "s," it can be confusing where to place the apostrophe to show possession. If the name is singular, the apostrophe is placed after the "s." If the name is plural, the apostrophe is placed before the "s." For example:
Incorrect: The report was written by Charles's team.
Correct: The report was written by Charles' team.
Tips for Using Apostrophes Correctly
Now that we've covered some common mistakes, here are some tips to help you use apostrophes correctly:
- Know when to use apostrophes: Apostrophes should only be used to indicate possession or in contractions.
- Be mindful of plurals: Plurals do not require apostrophes. Adding an apostrophe to a plural noun is a common mistake.
- Keep "it's" and "its" straight: Remember that "it's" is a contraction and "its" is a possessive pronoun.
- Be consistent: If there are multiple ways to use an apostrophe in a possessive noun, choose one and stick with it. For example, if you choose to write "The boss's schedule," use that format consistently throughout your writing.
- Proofread: Always proofread your writing to ensure that you have used apostrophes correctly.
In conclusion, apostrophes can be tricky to use correctly, but with practice and attention to detail, you can master their use in your business writing. By avoiding common mistakes and following these tips, you'll be able to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, and customers.
