Rules of Plural Apostrophes: Essential Guidelines for Clear Writing

Apostrophes are a critical component of clear writing, particularly when dealing with plural nouns, especially in possessive forms. This guide aims to clarify the rules surrounding plural apostrophes, helping you to avoid common errors and ensure your writing is both precise and correct.

Plural Nouns and Possession

For plural nouns, the basic rule is to add 's unless the word already ends in s. In such cases, just adding an apostrophe (') is sufficient. This applies both to singular and plural possessive forms.

Examples:

S: The men's room; the boys' room.

Special Cases Involving the 'S Symbol

There are instances where the apostrophe with an 's' can be optional or mandatory. The Chicago Manual of Style, for example, typically recommends adding an 's' even for singular nouns that already end in 's'. However, other style guides may prefer the 's' to be omitted.

Examples:

Without 's': The Myers car broke down. (Though this can also be written as The Myers' car broke down.) With 's': The Myers's car broke down. Singular Names Ending in 's': All of the Jones got together for a reunion. (This is incorrect; the correct form is All of the Joneses got together for a reunion.)

Consistency is Key

The choice between including or omitting the 's' can vary based on the style guide being followed. It is essential to choose one and stick to it throughout your document or publication. This ensures consistency and clarity in your writing.

Plurals and Possession: Clarifying the Form

In cases where a noun is singular but ends in 's', the use of 's' after the apostrophe is flexible but generally recommended. This applies both to possessive and non-possessive forms.

Examples:

Correct: Marriss toys are expensive. (Can also be written as Marris' toys are expensive.) Correct: Marris toys are expensive.

However, for plural nouns ending in 's', the 's' is not added after the apostrophe, making the structure straightforward.

Examples:

Correct: The Jones car broke down. (Can also be written as The Joneses' car broke down.)

Avoiding Plural Apostrophes

It is almost never appropriate to use an apostrophe to form the plural of a word, regardless of how the word ends. An apostrophe is solely for indicating possession or contractions and not for pluralizing words.

Exceptions:

The only instances where an apostrophe is used to denote a plural form are with lowercase letters to avoid ambiguity. For example:

Correct: Dot your is; not Dot your is.

Uppercase letters do not require apostrophes for plurals as the meaning is clear:

Correct: Cross your Ts; not Cross your Ts.

Final Thoughts

Mastery of plural apostrophes can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your written work. By adhering to these rules and maintaining consistency in your writing, you can avoid common errors and present your content in the best possible light.