placing an apostrophy

Question

i was always lead to believe that an apostrophy goes before a letter when signifying something is missing ie Paul's  meaning Paul is, and the apostrophy goes after if meaning belong to, so Pauls' wife meaning the wife belonging to Paul. Could you tell me please if i am correct. Thank You

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Welcome to the Forum.

i was always lead to believe that an ~~apostrophy~~ apostrophe goes before a letter when signifying something is missing ie Paul's meaning Paul is, Correct

and the apostrophy goes after if meaning belong to, so Pauls' wife meaning the wife belonging to Paul. Incorrect

Could you tell me please if i am correct

Here are correct examples.

Paul's sick today. = Paul is sick today.

Paul's wife is sick today. = The wife 'belonging to' Paul is sick today.

The syntax will indicate which meaning is intended. eg in #2, the word after the possessive Paul's is a noun (wife).

You can also combine both forms, especially in spoken English.
eg Paul's wife's sick today. = The wife 'belonging to' Paul is sick today.

Best wishes, Clive

placing an apostrophy

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