Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Avoid common misuses of the apostrophe
The apostrophe
Punctuation

Do not use an apostrophe with nouns that are not possessive or with the possessive pronouns its, whose, his, hers, ours, yours, and theirs.

EXERCISE 37-1

Edit the following sentences to correct errors in the use of the apostrophe. If a sentence is correct, write “correct” after it. Answers appear in the back of the book.

a. This diet will improve almost anyone’s health.

b. The innovative shoe fastener was inspired by the designers young son.

c. Each days menu features a different European country’s dish.

d. Lottie worked overtime to increase her families earnings.

e. Ms. Jacobs is unwilling to listen to students complaints about computer failures.

EXERCISE 37-2

Edit the following passage to correct errors in the use of the apostrophe.

Its never too soon to start holiday shopping. In fact, some people choose to start shopping as early as January, when last seasons leftover’s are priced at their lowest. Many stores try to lure customers in with promise’s of savings up to 90 percent. Their main objective, of course, is to make way for next years inventory. The big problem with postholiday shopping, though, is that there isn’t much left to choose from. Store’s shelves have been picked over by last-minute shoppers desperately searching for gifts. The other problem is that its hard to know what to buy so far in advance. Next year’s hot items are anyones guess. But proper timing, mixed with lot’s of luck and determination, can lead to good purchases at great price’s.