who owns the apostrophe?
Sometimes words appear to be in the possessive case but there is no real ownership, such as: • a month’s pay [“month” is singular, so apostrophe before “s”] • two days’ washing [“days” is plural, so apostrophe after “s”] • yesterday’s appointments [“yeserday” is singular, so apostrophe before “s”] • last year’s bank statements [“year” is singular, so apostrophe before “s”] • two years’ receipts [“years” is plural, so apostrophe after “s”] • girls’ underwear [“girls” is plural, so apostrophe after “s”] Although it looks like there is ownership, it is really called *False Possessive*, and yes an apostrophe IS required in these instances. NOTE: You put the apostrophe *after* the *s* when the word is plural, as in examples above – Items 2, 5 + 6. Just remember, not everyone knows how to do this *apostrophe* thing … even I have to stop and think sometimes, to make sure I get it right. There’s nothing wrong with looking it up online … don’t forget to come to the Humble Apostrophe if you’
