Apostrophe s

[ezmeraldaa]

Dear Australia,

Here is a quick, non-patronizing lesson in how to use 's.

1) Primary usage
's is most commonly used as an apostrophe of POSSESSION. That is, when someone owns something, or something belongs to somebody.

For example: The dog's bone. The girl's hula hoop

I understand it can be a bit tricky if the word ends in s itself. But the rule is just the same.

For example: Jess's slippery snake.

If a noun belongs to two or more people, we use s'

For example: The sisters' bedroom. The girls' cigarettes.

(if you get this bit wrong, I may forgive you. It's not easy but important to learn.

2) Secondary usage.
's can be used as a contraction.
It's = It is

It's can NOT be used as possession (the thing belonging to it). This is because here 'its' is not a subject, it is a pronoun like his and hers. We do not write hi's nor her's.

I think that's all from me today Australia. Learn it and use it well. I am SICK of seeing
DVD's
he's (for his)
eat's
etc....
and the winner is
Ladie's fashion (I'm looking at you BIG W)

Don't get me started on you're and your.

Yours sincerely (not your's sincerely)
Grammar police.