Apostrophes

1. Societies/Society’s been going downhill ever since the electorate became more
interested in voting for Americas/America’s Top Model than Americas/America’s
President.

2. The Smith’s/The Smiths’ home used to be the best place for parties, but then the DEA
agent moved in next door.
Note: logically, there are several people named Smith there, which is why you need
to make it plural and then possessive. After all, you wouldn’t call your friend “The
Smith.”

3. The childrens/children’s school was closed due to a heavy snowfall.

4. Your/you’re anger is a problem—especially at this Buddhist retreat.

5. She has been intrigued by ancient Egypt since she was a little girl; its/it’s mythology
fascinates her.

6. There/They’re/Their play was sold out before the first performance.

7. The 1980s/1980’s were a time of big hair and bad eye makeup.
Note: this is one thing that smart people who are not professional editors (like The
Oatmeal guy) get wrong.
Think about it this way: What if you used an apostrophe to make a year plural
(when apostrophes are not designed for that), but then you also needed to make the
plural years possessive? “1980’s’ fashion should not return.”—you would never do
this. That first apostrophe is therefore wrong.

8. Terry’s and Angela’s/Terry and Angela’s hotel rooms had terrible stains on the
mattresses.
Note: By the logic of the sentence, Terry has a room and Angela has a different from.
This is how you signal that, instead of them having several rooms together.

9. My parents/parent’s always welcome me home with a big bowl of my favorite soup.

10. There/They’re/Their a fun couple to double date with.

11. She enjoyed learning about the Aztecs’ rituals/the Aztecs ritual’s.

12. I’m never sure who’s/whose CDs/CD’s these are; they’ve been in my car forever!

13. My grandparent’s/grandparents’ house was filled with pictures of the vacations they
had taken together.
Note: the logic seems to indicate there are two grandparents.
14. Its/It’s been great getting to know each other.

15. He owes her five weeks/weeks’ wages.

16. Your/you’re never going to get a girlfriend if you can’t figure out how to be polite.

17. The dog’s/dogs’ bowl was empty, so it barked at its/it’s owner.

Note: the logic seems to indicate there’s one dog.

18. There/They’re/Their was a lot of traffic today.