Worked example 1
Correct: 'The customers complaint was resolved.' (one customer)
- One customer owns the complaint
- Add 's
Answer: customer's
English for adults · Grammar
Apostrophes practice for adults
Apostrophe mistakes are among the most noticed in work writing. Practise with realistic office sentences.
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How it works
Contraction: the apostrophe replaces missing letters. do not → don't, it is → it's.
Possession, one owner: add 's (the manager's desk). Plural owner ending in s: add ' (the managers' meeting). Plural not ending in s: add 's (the children's menu).
Never use an apostrophe to make a plain plural: 'three invoices', not 'three invoice's'.
Worked example 2
Correct: 'Its been a busy week.'
- Expand: it has been
- Contraction needs an apostrophe
Answer: It's
Try it
Practice sheet
Grammar · Standard
Apostrophes
NameDate
Write the corrected word or phrase.
- 1.The clients feedback forms were all positive. (several clients)
- 2.The childrens area is being refurbished.
- 3.Whos responsible for the rota?
- 4.The staffs' opinions were collected. (staff is a collective noun)
- 5.We need two weeks notice for annual leave.
- 6.The team has updated its/it's procedures.
- 7.Theyll send the invoice on Monday.
Answers and explanations
- The clients feedback forms were all positive. (several clients)clients'Plural owner ending in s: add the apostrophe after the s.
- The childrens area is being refurbished.children'sChildren is already plural without s, so add 's.
- Whos responsible for the rota?Who'sWho's = who is.
- The staffs' opinions were collected. (staff is a collective noun)staff'sStaff is a collective noun without s, so add 's.
- We need two weeks notice for annual leave.weeks'Time expressions take apostrophes: two weeks' notice.
- The team has updated its/it's procedures.itsIts shows possession; it's always means it is or it has.
- Theyll send the invoice on Monday.They'llThey'll = they will.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026