1. _☠Apostrophes (’) show ownership or missing letters (see Contractions rules, 10.3), and NOTHING ELSE. NEVER use an apostrophe to make a plural.

   1. If two people possess one item, use ‘s only after the second name; if they possess separate items, use ‘s after each name.
      

      Harry and Ron’s room was at the top of the tower.
      
      Arthur’s and Ford’s thoughts drifted away.

   2. To show ownership use ‘s for a singular noun (even if it happens to end with an s) and ’ for a plural noun that ends with an s.
      

      One of Zaphod's heads looked away.
      
      Slartibartfast's study was a total mess, like the results of an explosion in a public library.
      
      The fact that once again man completely misinterpreted this relationship was entirely according to these creatures' plans.

   3. 

      _☠Possessive pronouns (his, hers, its, yours, ours, theirs) NEVER take an apostrophe.

   4. Ownership is sometimes hard to tell, so think of it this way: if you added an s to a word, but not to make it plural or a contraction, then it’s probably ownership.

      Grunthos is reported to have been disappointed by the poem's reception.

©Real Spelling