Apostrophe

The apostrophe is most commonly used in contractions and possessives. If you pet it and treat it nicely, it will be your friend--just like George. 

Contractions:

Use an apostrophe to take the place of omitted letters.

Instead of this: 

George does not like the Tofu Treats we bought for her.

You have this: 

George doesn't like the Tofu Treats we bought for her.

 

Or instead of this: 

It is George at the windowsill, shining so brightly!

You get this: 

It's George at the windowsill, shining so brightly!

Possessives:

With nouns, use an apostrophe to signify ownership. 

Instead of this: 

The majestic Friskies of George bespeckle the carpet.

You have this: 

George's majestic Friskies bespeckle the carpet.

 

Or instead of this: 

The bed belonging to the cat is in the laundry room.

You get this: 

The cat's bed is in the laundry room.  

With plural nouns, the apostrophe for the possessive occurs on the right side of the "s" rather than the left.

Instead of this: 

The cats belonging to the priests eat cake on occasion.

You get this: 

The priests' cats eat cake on occasion.

With singular nouns ending in "s", adding an "s" after the apostrophe is optional.

Hercules' cat, George the Titan, ate the Hydra's cat for lunch. 

or

Hercules's cat, George the Titan, ate the Hydra's cat for lunch.

Whichever form you choose, remember to be consistent in your usage.   

Pluralizing Numbers, Letters, and Abbreviations:

When making numbers, letters, or abbreviations plural an apostrophe is optional. The MLA Stylesheet recommends that no apostrophe be used.

George thinks the tone produced by 8's on telephones is most pleasing.

or

George thinks the tone produced by 8s on telephones is most pleasing.
 

George is registered in several SPCA's. 

or
             George is registered in several SPCAs.