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Using apostrophes for possession and contractions.
Practice: build the sentences →Apostrophes are mainly used to indicate possession, contractions, and certain omitted letters or numbers.
Examples include John's car, don't, and the '90s.
John's car is new.
Машина Джона новая.
Apostrophe + s marks possession.
I don't know the answer.
Я не знаю ответа.
Apostrophe marks the contraction "don't".
She grew up in the '90s.
Она выросла в 90-х.
Apostrophe marks omitted digits in "'90s".
The students' books are on the table.
Книги студентов на столе.
Apostrophe after the plural s marks possession.
It's raining outside.
На улице идёт дождь.
Apostrophe in "It's" marks the contraction of "it is".
A singular noun normally forms its possessive with apostrophe + s.
For example, the student's book, Sarah's car, and the company's policy.
The student's book is on the desk.
Книга студента на столе.
Singular noun "student" takes apostrophe + s.
Sarah's car is parked outside.
Машина Сары припаркована снаружи.
Proper name "Sarah" takes apostrophe + s.
The company's policy has changed.
Политика компании изменилась.
Singular noun "company" takes apostrophe + s.
The cat's toy is under the sofa.
Игрушка кота под диваном.
Singular noun "cat" takes apostrophe + s.
My brother's room is upstairs.
Комната моего брата наверху.
Singular noun "brother" takes apostrophe + s.
A regular plural noun ending in s normally forms its possessive by adding an apostrophe after the plural s.
For example, the students' books and the teachers' room.
The students' books are on the table.
Книги студентов на столе.
Regular plural "students" takes apostrophe after the s.
The teachers' room is on the first floor.
Учительская на первом этаже.
Regular plural "teachers" takes apostrophe after the s.
The dogs' owners were not happy.
Хозяева собак были недовольны.
Regular plural "dogs" takes apostrophe after the s.
The employees' salaries were increased.
Зарплаты сотрудников были повышены.
Regular plural "employees" takes apostrophe after the s.
The girls' team won the match.
Команда девочек выиграла матч.
Regular plural "girls" takes apostrophe after the s.
An irregular plural noun that does not end in s normally forms its possessive with apostrophe + s.
For example, children's toys, men's clothing, and people's opinions.
The children's toys are everywhere.
Игрушки детей повсюду.
Irregular plural "children" takes apostrophe + s.
The men's clothing is on sale.
Мужская одежда продаётся со скидкой.
Irregular plural "men" takes apostrophe + s.
The people's opinions were divided.
Мнения людей разделились.
Irregular plural "people" takes apostrophe + s.
The women's team won the championship.
Женская команда выиграла чемпионат.
Irregular plural "women" takes apostrophe + s.
The mice's cage needs cleaning.
Клетка мышей нуждается в чистке.
Irregular plural "mice" takes apostrophe + s.
Possessives of singular proper names ending in s vary by style, with apostrophe + s common in many modern styles and an apostrophe alone used in some styles.
For example, James's car and James' car can both be encountered depending on style.
James's car is new.
Машина Джеймса новая.
Modern style often uses apostrophe + s after names ending in s.
James' car is new.
Машина Джеймса новая.
Some styles use apostrophe alone after names ending in s.
Charles's book is on the shelf.
Книга Чарльза на полке.
Apostrophe + s is common in modern styles.
Charles' book is on the shelf.
Книга Чарльза на полке.
Apostrophe alone is used in some styles.
The Jones's house is at the end of the street.
Дом Джонсов в конце улицы.
Apostrophe + s can be used for family names ending in s.
Some established style systems treat certain ancient or classical names ending in s differently when forming possessives.
For example, historical or classical names may follow specialized editorial conventions.
Socrates' philosophy is studied today.
Философия Сократа изучается сегодня.
Classical names ending in s often take apostrophe alone.
Jesus' teachings are central to Christianity.
Учения Иисуса центральны для христианства.
Traditional style uses apostrophe alone for Jesus.
Moses' leadership guided the people.
Лидерство Моисея вело народ.
Classical names often take apostrophe alone.
Sophocles' plays are still performed.
Пьесы Софокла до сих пор ставятся.
Ancient Greek names ending in s take apostrophe alone.
Xerxes' army was vast.
Армия Ксеркса была огромной.
Classical names follow special editorial conventions.
When two or more nouns jointly possess the same thing, the possessive marker normally appears only on the final noun.
For example, John and Mary's house means they share ownership of one house.
John and Mary's house is beautiful.
Дом Джона и Мэри красивый.
Joint possession: only the final noun takes the possessive marker.
Tom and Sarah's apartment is small.
Квартира Тома и Сары маленькая.
Joint possession: apostrophe + s on the final name.
My mother and father's car is old.
Машина моих мамы и папы старая.
Joint possession: possessive marker on the final noun.
The company and its partners' agreement was signed.
Соглашение компании и её партнёров было подписано.
Joint possession: only the final noun takes the possessive.
Peter and Paul's project won the award.
Проект Питера и Павла выиграл награду.
Joint possession: apostrophe + s on the final name.
When two or more nouns possess different things, each relevant noun normally takes its own possessive marker.
For example, John's and Mary's cars means they have separate cars.
John's and Mary's cars are both new.
Машины Джона и Мэри обе новые.
Separate possession: each noun takes its own possessive marker.
Tom's and Sarah's apartments are on different floors.
Квартиры Тома и Сары на разных этажах.
Separate possession: each name has apostrophe + s.
My brother's and sister's rooms are upstairs.
Комнаты моего брата и сестры наверху.
Separate possession: each noun takes the possessive.
The teacher's and the student's books were mixed up.
Книги учителя и студента перепутались.
Separate possession: each noun has its own possessive marker.
Peter's and Paul's projects are different.
Проекты Питера и Павла разные.
Separate possession: each name takes apostrophe + s.
Apostrophe + s can mark possession or association with periods of time in expressions involving duration or schedules.
For example, today's meeting, yesterday's news, and a week's holiday.
Today's meeting has been cancelled.
Сегодняшняя встреча отменена.
Apostrophe + s marks possession with a time expression.
Yesterday's news was surprising.
Вчерашние новости были удивительными.
Possessive form of "yesterday".
I need a week's holiday.
Мне нужен недельный отпуск.
Possessive with a period of time.
Tomorrow's schedule is full.
Завтрашнее расписание заполнено.
Possessive form of "tomorrow".
This year's conference is in May.
Конференция этого года в мае.
Possessive with "this year".
Apostrophes can occur in expressions where a measurement or quantity functions as a possessive-like modifier.
For example, two weeks' notice, a month's salary, and three days' work.
I need two weeks' notice.
Мне нужно уведомление за две недели.
Apostrophe marks possession in a measure expression.
She earns a month's salary.
Она зарабатывает месячную зарплату.
Possessive with a measure of time.
It was three days' work.
Это была работа на три дня.
Apostrophe after the plural "days".
He was given a week's pay.
Ему выдали недельную оплату.
Possessive with "week".
They asked for a year's extension.
Они попросили продление на год.
Possessive with "year".
Apostrophes mark omitted letters in common contractions involving be.
Examples include I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, and they're.
I'm ready.
Я готов.
Contraction of "I am".
You're late.
Ты опоздал.
Contraction of "you are".
He's here.
Он здесь.
Contraction of "he is".
It's raining.
Идёт дождь.
Contraction of "it is".
They're coming.
Они идут.
Contraction of "they are".
Apostrophes mark omitted letters in contractions involving have or has.
Examples include I've, you've, they've, he's, and she's, with interpretation determined by context.
I've finished.
Я закончил.
Contraction of "I have".
You've seen it.
Ты это видел.
Contraction of "you have".
He's left.
Он ушёл.
Contraction of "he has" (context determines).
She's arrived.
Она приехала.
Contraction of "she has".
They've gone.
Они ушли.
Contraction of "they have".
Apostrophes mark omitted letters in contractions with will.
Examples include I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, we'll, and they'll.
I'll call you.
Я тебе позвоню.
Contraction of "I will".
You'll see.
Ты увидишь.
Contraction of "you will".
He'll come.
Он придёт.
Contraction of "he will".
She'll help.
Она поможет.
Contraction of "she will".
We'll wait.
Мы подождём.
Contraction of "we will".
Apostrophes mark omitted letters in contractions with would.
Examples include I'd, you'd, he'd, she'd, we'd, and they'd.
I'd like to go.
Я хотел бы пойти.
Contraction of "I would".
You'd better hurry.
Тебе лучше поторопиться.
Contraction of "you would".
He'd agree.
Он согласился бы.
Contraction of "he would".
She'd know.
Она знала бы.
Contraction of "she would".
We'd love to come.
Мы бы с удовольствием пришли.
Contraction of "we would".
Apostrophes mark contractions formed by combining auxiliary verbs with not.
Examples include don't, doesn't, didn't, isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, haven't, hasn't, and won't.
I don't know.
Я не знаю.
Contraction of "do not".
She doesn't like it.
Ей это не нравится.
Contraction of "does not".
They didn't call.
Они не позвонили.
Contraction of "did not".
He isn't ready.
Он не готов.
Contraction of "is not".
We won't be late.
Мы не опоздаем.
Contraction of "will not".
Ain't is an informal or dialectal contraction used for several negative forms and is generally avoided in standard formal English.
Its interpretation depends on context and variety, including am not, is not, are not, has not, and have not.
I ain't going.
Я не иду.
"Ain't" is informal for "am not".
She ain't here.
Её здесь нет.
"Ain't" is informal for "is not".
They ain't coming.
Они не идут.
"Ain't" is informal for "are not".
He ain't finished.
Он не закончил.
"Ain't" is informal for "has not".
We ain't seen it.
Мы это не видели.
"Ain't" is informal for "have not".
Will not has the irregular contraction won't rather than the expected-looking willn't.
For example, I won't be late.
I won't be late.
Я не опоздаю.
Irregular contraction "won't" for "will not".
She won't agree.
Она не согласится.
"Won't" is the contraction of "will not".
They won't come.
Они не придут.
"Won't" for "will not".
He won't listen.
Он не будет слушать.
"Won't" is irregular.
We won't forget.
Мы не забудем.
"Won't" for "will not".
Let's is normally the contraction of let us when making a suggestion, while let us can also function as a literal request depending on context.
For example, Let's go home. differs from Let us examine the evidence carefully.
Let's go home.
Давай пойдём домой.
"Let's" is a contraction for suggestion.
Let us examine the evidence carefully.
Позвольте нам тщательно изучить доказательства.
"Let us" can be a literal request.
Let's take a break.
Давай сделаем перерыв.
"Let's" makes a suggestion.
Let us pray.
Помолимся.
"Let us" can be formal or religious.
Let's not argue.
Давай не будем спорить.
"Let's not" is the negative suggestion.
It's is a contraction of it is or it has, while its is the possessive form without an apostrophe.
For example, It's raining versus The company changed its policy.
It's raining.
Идёт дождь.
"It's" is a contraction of "it is".
The company changed its policy.
Компания изменила свою политику.
"Its" is the possessive form, no apostrophe.
It's been a long day.
Это был долгий день.
"It's" can be "it has".
The dog wagged its tail.
Собака виляла хвостом.
"Its" shows possession.
It's important to be on time.
Важно быть вовремя.
"It's" = "it is".
You're is a contraction of you are, while your is a possessive determiner.
For example, You're ready versus your book.
You're ready.
Ты готов.
"You're" is a contraction of "you are".
Your book is on the table.
Твоя книга на столе.
"Your" is a possessive determiner.
You're going to love it.
Тебе это понравится.
"You're" = "you are".
Is this your bag?
Это твоя сумка?
"Your" shows possession.
You're welcome.
Пожалуйста.
"You're" = "you are".
They're is a contraction of they are, their is possessive, and there is an adverb or existential subject-like element.
For example, They're here with their friends over there.
They're here.
Они здесь.
"They're" is a contraction of "they are".
Their friends are waiting.
Их друзья ждут.
"Their" is possessive.
There is a problem.
Есть проблема.
"There" is existential.
They're going to their house over there.
Они идут в свой дом вон там.
All three forms appear in one sentence.
There are their books.
Вон там их книги.
"There" and "their" are distinct.
Who's is a contraction of who is or who has, while whose is the possessive interrogative form.
For example, Who's coming? versus Whose bag is this?
Who's coming?
Кто идёт?
"Who's" is a contraction of "who is".
Whose bag is this?
Чья это сумка?
"Whose" is the possessive interrogative.
Who's finished the report?
Кто закончил отчёт?
"Who's" can be "who has".
Whose idea was it?
Чья это была идея?
"Whose" shows possession.
Who's at the door?
Кто у двери?
"Who's" = "who is".
There's is the contraction of there is and is normally used with singular noun phrases, although informal speech sometimes extends it to plural contexts.
For example, There's a problem. Standard formal usage prefers There are two problems.
There's a problem.
Есть проблема.
"There's" is used with a singular noun.
There are two problems.
Есть две проблемы.
Formal usage prefers "there are" with plural.
There's a lot of people here.
Здесь много людей.
Informal speech sometimes uses "there's" with plural.
There's no time.
Нет времени.
"There's" with uncountable noun.
There's a cat on the roof.
На крыше кошка.
"There's" with singular noun.
Apostrophes can indicate omitted letters in contractions and some informal or historical spellings.
For example, o'clock from of the clock and rock 'n' roll in informal writing.
o'clock
часы
Apostrophe marks omitted letters in "o'clock".
rock 'n' roll
рок-н-ролл
Apostrophes mark omitted letters in informal writing.
'90s
90-е
Apostrophe marks omitted digits in a decade.
'em
их
Apostrophe marks omitted letters in dialectal writing.
ma'am
госпожа
Apostrophe marks omitted letters in "madam".
The apostrophe in o'clock marks the historical omission in the expression, although modern speakers normally treat o'clock as a fixed word.
For example, five o'clock and at eight o'clock.
It is five o'clock.
Сейчас пять часов.
The apostrophe in "o'clock" is fixed.
The meeting is at eight o'clock.
Встреча в восемь часов.
"O'clock" is used for whole hours.
She arrived at six o'clock.
Она приехала в шесть часов.
"O'clock" is a fixed expression.
The train leaves at nine o'clock.
Поезд отправляется в девять часов.
"O'clock" indicates exact hour.
It is twelve o'clock.
Сейчас двенадцать часов.
"O'clock" can be used for noon or midnight.
An apostrophe can mark omitted digits when a year is abbreviated informally.
For example, the '90s means the 1990s when the context makes the decade clear.
The '90s were a great decade for music.
90-е были отличным десятилетием для музыки.
Apostrophe marks omitted digits in "'90s".
She was born in the '80s.
Она родилась в 80-х.
Apostrophe abbreviates the decade.
The fashion of the '70s is back.
Мода 70-х вернулась.
Apostrophe shows omitted "19".
He grew up in the '60s.
Он вырос в 60-х.
Apostrophe abbreviates the year.
The '50s were a time of change.
50-е были временем перемен.
Apostrophe marks the abbreviated decade.
Acronyms and initialisms normally form plurals with a simple s rather than an apostrophe.
For example, CDs, DVDs, URLs, and MPs.
I have many CDs.
У меня много CD.
Plural of "CD" is "CDs", no apostrophe.
The DVDs are on the shelf.
DVD на полке.
Plural of "DVD" is "DVDs".
Please check the URLs.
Пожалуйста, проверьте URL.
Plural of "URL" is "URLs".
The MPs voted for the bill.
Депутаты проголосовали за законопроект.
Plural of "MP" is "MPs".
Several NGOs attended the meeting.
Несколько НПО посетили встречу.
Plural of "NGO" is "NGOs".
Numerals used as plural nouns normally take a simple s without an apostrophe.
For example, the 1990s, two 7s, and three PCs.
The 1990s were a time of change.
1990-е были временем перемен.
Plural of a decade is "1990s", no apostrophe.
She rolled two 7s.
Она выбросила две семёрки.
Plural of "7" is "7s".
We have three PCs.
У нас три ПК.
Plural of "PC" is "PCs".
The temperature dropped to the 20s.
Температура упала до 20-х.
Plural of a number range uses "s".
He scored two 10s in the competition.
Он получил две десятки в соревновании.
Plural of "10" is "10s".
Apostrophes should not normally be used merely to make ordinary nouns plural.
For example, apples, books, and cars, not apple's, book's, and car's.
I bought three apples.
Я купил три яблока.
Correct: plural "apples", no apostrophe.
I bought three apple's.
Я купил три яблока.
Incorrect: apostrophe used for a plural.
The books are on the shelf.
Книги на полке.
Correct: plural "books".
The book's are on the shelf.
Книги на полке.
Incorrect: apostrophe misused for plural.
The cars are parked outside.
Машины припаркованы снаружи.
Correct: plural "cars".
English can use an of-phrase together with a possessive form when expressing an indefinite member or association.
For example, a friend of John's and a colleague of my sister's.
He is a friend of John's.
Он друг Джона.
Double possessive: "of" + possessive.
She is a colleague of my sister's.
Она коллега моей сестры.
Double possessive with "of" and apostrophe.
That is a painting of Picasso's.
Это картина Пикассо.
Double possessive indicates one of his works.
A friend of mine is coming.
Мой друг приезжает.
Double possessive with independent pronoun.
This is a song of hers.
Это её песня.
Double possessive with "of" and possessive pronoun.
Possession or association can often be expressed with either an apostrophe possessive or an of-phrase, with differences in meaning, animacy, or naturalness.
For example, John's car and the roof of the house use different possessive constructions.
John's car is new.
Машина Джона новая.
Possessive with apostrophe for people.
The roof of the house is red.
Крыша дома красная.
Of-construction for objects.
The company's policy changed.
Политика компании изменилась.
Possessive with apostrophe for organizations.
The end of the story was sad.
Конец истории был грустным.
Of-construction for inanimate objects.
My sister's room is upstairs.
Комната моей сестры наверху.
Possessive for people.
Independent possessive pronouns such as mine, yours, hers, ours, and theirs do not use apostrophes.
For example, The blue car is mine and That seat is theirs.
The blue car is mine.
Синяя машина моя.
"Mine" is an independent possessive pronoun, no apostrophe.
That seat is theirs.
То место их.
"Theirs" has no apostrophe.
Is this book yours?
Эта книга твоя?
"Yours" has no apostrophe.
The red one is hers.
Красный — её.
"Hers" has no apostrophe.
That house is ours.
Тот дом наш.
"Ours" has no apostrophe.
Informal writing can use apostrophes to represent contractions and omitted sounds, but formal writing generally prefers standard full forms when appropriate.
For example, gonna and wanna may appear in dialogue, while formal prose normally uses going to and want to.
I'm gonna call you later.
Я собираюсь позвонить тебе позже.
"Gonna" is informal for "going to".
Do you wanna come?
Ты хочешь прийти?
"Wanna" is informal for "want to".
I'm going to call you later.
Я собираюсь позвонить тебе позже.
Formal writing uses "going to".
Do you want to come?
Ты хочешь прийти?
Formal writing uses "want to".
He's gonna be late.
Он собирается опоздать.
"Gonna" is used in informal speech.
Use apostrophes for possession, contractions, and genuine omissions, but not for ordinary plurals or possessive pronouns.
Common mistakes include confusing its and it's, your and you're, their and they're, whose and who's, using apostrophes in plural nouns, and confusing shared with separate possession.
It's raining.
Идёт дождь.
Correct: "It's" = "it is".
The dog wagged its tail.
Собака виляла хвостом.
Correct: "its" is possessive.
You're welcome.
Пожалуйста.
Correct: "You're" = "you are".
Your book is on the table.
Твоя книга на столе.
Correct: "Your" is possessive.
The students' books are here.
Книги студентов здесь.
Correct: apostrophe after plural s.