when do you use an apostrophe outside a word?

Question

I always thought it represented posession

Answer 1

it does represent posession. But when the owner of the object is plural u put the apostrophe after the s. For example. that ball belongs to the students'. notice how its not student's? Because students is plural and the ball belongs to more then one student, the apostrophe goes after. Because if u said student's that would change everything refering to posession from one student. but there is more then one student. so students (the ownerS because the noun is plural) + ' (to show possesion) = students'

oh ya btw... u also put the apostrophe after the s when the noun of the owner end's in an s. example..Charles. his name ends in an s. but if u put teh apostrophe before the s, it changes the whole word. Charle's, his name isnt charle, its charles. So it goes like this: Charles' car.

Answer 2

Use an apostrophe after a plural that ends with the letter S.

the two students'`papers
two men's cars
the children's toys

Americans always add 's with singular possessive. British do too, unless a name ends with S.

the child's toys
the class's teacher
Jesus's apostles (American English)
Jesus' apostles (British English)

Certain contractions use an apostrophe BEFORE the word.

'Twas the night before Christmas (it was)
'Tis the season to be jolly (it is)
'Tain't true (it ain't)

You might also find apostrophes in this position in written dialect:

'Ope you can come. (I hope...)

The apostrophe on your keyboard is the same symbol as a single quotation mark. Britishers use single quotation marks in direct quotes, but Americans use double. This is reversed when quoting inside a quotation.

If you like beating your head against the wall, try reading Dr. Watson's accounts of Sherlock Holmes' accounts of what a witness told him that someone said.

Answer 3

1) when you are showing possession of someone and his/her name ends in an "s".
For example,
- Brian's car is black. (Apostrophe is inside)
- James' car is blue. (Apostrophe is outside because James ends in an "s")

2) also apostrophes are used when quotation marks are needed in a quote. (sounds complicated, but i'll explain). Usually seen in dialogues in books.

- "I saw Aly earlier so I said, 'Hi.'"

Answer 4

I agree with you, I have always thought it showed ownership until I started to read some things on here, now i think I am wrong. I think it is :Carls' car is in the garage. and and I don't think it makes sense to say Carl's. there is nothing left out. I guess we need the dictionary.

Answer 5

It does represent possession when the possessors name ends in "s". As in Carlos' horse is in the stable..