The difference between with apostrophe + s (’s) and without apostrophe
Categories: Basic English
1. With Apostrophe + s (’s)
It usually shows possession or contraction.
Possession (ownership/relationship):
Rajesh’s laptop = The laptop of Rajesh.
The dog’s tail = The tail of the dog.
Contraction (short form):
She’s = She is / She has
It’s = It is / It has
He’s gone home = He has gone home.
2. Without Apostrophe (just s)
It usually shows plural or sometimes just the base word.
Plural (more than one):
Cats = more than one cat.
Cars = more than one car.
Verb form (present tense):
She runs every day. (runs = verb, no apostrophe)
The comparison table:
Form Meaning Example Explanation ’s (apostrophe + s) Possession (ownership) Rajesh’s book The book belongs to Rajesh Contraction of “is” She’s happy = She is happy Contraction of “has” He’s gone home = He has gone home s (without apostrophe) Plural (more than one) Cats are cute = More than one cat Verb form (present tense) She runs fast = Verb “run” in 3rd person singular Noun form Teachers are respected Just the plural of teacher Extra tip:
It’s = it is / it has
Its (no apostrophe) = belongs to it (e.g., The dog wagged its tail).
He plays cricket.
Key rule to remember:
’s = "belongs to" OR "is/has"
s (no apostrophe) = "more than one" OR "verb form"
The common mistakes with ’s and s (like its vs it’s, your vs you’re
1. Its vs It’s
Its = possession (belongs to it)
The company changed its policy. ✅
It’s = it is / it has
It’s a sunny day. ✅ (= It is)
It’s been a long time. ✅ (= It has)
❌ Wrong: The dog wagged it’s tail.
✅ Correct: The dog wagged its tail.
2. Your vs You’re
Your = possession (belongs to you)
I like your idea. ✅
You’re = you are
You’re very kind. ✅
❌ Wrong: I like you’re dress.
✅ Correct: I like your dress.
3. Their vs They’re vs There
Their = possession
That’s their house. ✅
They’re = they are
They’re coming soon. ✅
There = place / existence
She is sitting there. ✅
There are many options. ✅
4. Whose vs Who’s
Whose = possession
Whose bag is this? ✅
Who’s = who is / who has
Who’s going to the party? ✅
✅ Golden Rule:
If you can replace the word with is/has/are, then use apostrophe.
If it shows ownership, check carefully: sometimes it takes ’s, sometimes not (like its).
Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form (’s / s / its / it’s / your / you’re / their / they’re / there / whose / who’s)
The cat hurt ___ paw.
___ going to rain today.
This is ___ book, not mine.
___ the best friend I ever had.
The children are playing with ___ toys.
___ house is very beautiful.
___ a big park near my school.
She said ___ very tired.
The company changed ___ rules last year.
Do you know ___ coming to dinner tonight?
___ dog is barking outside.
I like ___ smile.
___ the manager of this team.
___ been a long time since we met.
Do you know ___ bag this is?
✅ Answers:
its
It’s (= It is)
Your
You’re (= You are)
their
Their
There
She’s (= She is)
its
who’s (= who is)
Their
your
He’s (= He is)
It’s (= It has)
Whose