Apostrophe Usage - A Quick Guide

[Perry]

Maybe this will be of help to a few?

[kapitibeanman]

That's a very helpful post, Perry, and it keeps it simple and funny, thanks for that.

[cube]

but its important to remember that it has it's own special rules

[drelly]

Your just been pikky Peri!

[PeterTach]

Is this humour or are we this picky about grammar?

[kapitibeanman]

You guys are ratbags.

[One]

but its important to remember that it has it's own special rules

Aaargh!! Now you're just messing with me.

Easiest grammar rule I ever learnt: mentally replace "its" with "it is". If your sentence still makes sense, use an apostrophe. If it doesn't, don't.

[Keys]

Is that supposed to read

If it does not, do not?

[Perry]

The malaise has now spread to advertising agencies.

[McDuck]

The scientists' convention was busy. Ha.

[sidinz]

The malaise has now spread to advertising agencies.

That one is actually correct as it's a possessive apostrophe rather than a supposed plural.

[Perry]

Could be. It's a really tricky one. Would it not depend on whether the other was singular or plural?

E.g. any other offerings or any other offer?

. . . . than the customers of any other bank.

. . . . than the customers of any other banks.

[kapitibeanman]

It just goe's to show, one cannot be too careful with these dratted little things. Or too confident, in my case.

[sidinz]

. . . . than the customers of any other bank.

That's the way I read it. Also the most logical, I think.

[Nick G]

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe