A Rule about Apostrophes

Instant Quiz

Can you correct the error in the sentence below? Scroll to the bottom of today’s post for the answer.  

 For desert we all ordered strawberry shortcake.

I just read an article that clears up some confusing points about apostrophes.  I wish I could say I’m pleased, but I’m not. I have a feeling I’m going to be cranky all day.

Here’s what’s bothering me: The author  wants you to the term pronomial pronouns That’s supposed to help you remember a group of apostrophes that never get apostrophes: his, hers, yours, ours, theirs and its.

Why make apostrophes so complicated? I have a Ph.D. in English, and I can’t remember ever seeing the word pronomial before.

I’m going to suggest a much simpler way to learn how to use these pronouns. (And there’s a bonus – you’ll have a simple memory device if you need it later.)

Here it is: Think about the word his. No apostrophe, right?

All these pronouns (his, hers, yours, ours, theirs and its) work the same way: no apostrophe.

These examples are correct:

That book is his, not hers. 

The dog buried his bone.

The dog buried its bone.

His is the blue Subaru.

Ours is the blue Subaru.

No apostrophes! Easy, isn’t it?

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Instant Quiz ANSWER

If you missed today’s Quiz question, you’re in good company. I often struggle with double letters. Is it desert – or dessert?

Here’s a trick I use. When I have dessert, I always order coffee with two sugars. That helps me remember that I need two s’s. (A desert is a place that’s dry and arid .)

There’s an even easier trick: Turn on your spellchecker!

For dessert we all ordered strawberry shortcake.  CORRECT

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