Which statement best describes the two main functions of apostrophes?

Which statement best describes the two main functions of apostrophes?

• A. They indicate possession or omission.
• B. They mark plural nouns.
• C. They denote capitalization.
• D. They indicate quotation only.

Answer: (A)

Apostrophes have two main jobs: showing possession and indicating omission in contractions. When something belongs to someone, the apostrophe plus an s signals ownership, as in the dog’s bone or Maria’s book. When letters are left out in a shortened word or phrase, the apostrophe marks that omission, as in can’t for cannot or it’s for it is. This is why that statement fits best: it captures both core ways apostrophes are used. They aren’t primarily for marking plural nouns—most plurals don’t take an apostrophe (e.g., cats, not cat’s). They also don’t denote capitalization or indicate quotation marks; capitalization is a separate convention, and quotation marks handle direct quotes, with apostrophes only appearing inside quotes as part of contractions or possessives.

Apostrophes have two main jobs: showing possession and indicating omission in contractions. When something belongs to someone, the apostrophe plus an s signals ownership, as in the dog’s bone or Maria’s book. When letters are left out in a shortened word or phrase, the apostrophe marks that omission, as in can’t for cannot or it’s for it is.

This is why that statement fits best: it captures both core ways apostrophes are used. They aren’t primarily for marking plural nouns—most plurals don’t take an apostrophe (e.g., cats, not cat’s). They also don’t denote capitalization or indicate quotation marks; capitalization is a separate convention, and quotation marks handle direct quotes, with apostrophes only appearing inside quotes as part of contractions or possessives.