Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 2)

Hannah Lawrence
Hannah Lawrence
A professional man sits at a desk, writing notes with a laptop open in front of him.
Reading time: 5 minutes

As a proofreader and editor, I'm often asked to explain the rules of grammar. I answered three of the most common questions in the first post of this series, and now it's time to look at another frequent query: how to use apostrophes. Where do they go? When are they needed? And when should they be left out entirely?

Apostrophes might be small but they can cause big confusion because they are used both to indicate posession and to contract words. But the good news is that there are clear, simple patterns to follow, which we'll explore, along with exceptions to watch out for. Whether you’re writing a report or just a text message, these tips will help you use apostrophes correctly and confidently.

Apostrophes with ease: posession

Apostrophes show possession: they tell us something belongs to someone or something. When we want to show possession for regular plurals (when a word needs an "s" to make it plural), the apostrophe goes at the end and no further "s" is added: 

  • The teachers' association
  • The campaigners' letter
  • The dogs' dinner

Whereas, when we want to show posession for either a single noun or an irregular plural (for example, children, geese), we add an "apostrophe s":

  • Sarah's car
  • Pearson's assessment tools
  • The children's presents
  • The geese's pond

Single names that end in an “s” get an “apostrophe s” but plural names get only an apostrophe:

  • Mrs Jones’s car
  • James's cat
  • Whole Foods’ offices
  • Starbucks' nearest store

There's one exception that's important to note: "its" and "it's". The posessive form "its" does not have an apostrophe: "it's" always means "it is". 

  • The cat ate its food

Apostrophes with ease: contractions

Contracted words are the combined and shortened forms of two words, which are commonly used in everyday writing and speech to sound more natural and conversational. They're made by omitting certain letters and replacing them with an apostrophe: for example, in "don't", it replaces the missing “o” from not. 

When you miss one or more letters, use an apostrophe:

  • "would not" becomes "wouldn’t"
  • "cannot" becomes "can’t"
  • "we are" becomes "we're"
  • and, as before, "it is" becomes "it's"

When not to use apostrophes

A common mistake is using apostrophes when making words plural or when refering to decades and numbers. For example:

  • The 1980s had the best music (not "The 1980's")
  • Many people retire from working in their 70s (not "their 70's")
  • I bought some apples at the store (not "apple's")
Using apostrophes: simple tips to improve your writing skills
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Test your knowledge

Now you know the basic rules of apostrophes, it's time to check your knowledge.

Which sentence is correct?:

  1. The childrens break time has finished
  2. The childrens' break time has finished
  3. The children's break time has finished

It's sentence 3. We want to show posession – break time belongs to the children – and "children" is plural so it gets an "apostrophe s".
Now try these sentences and see if you can figure out which one is right:

  1. When you're walking my dog, its important to remember it's collar.
  2. When you're walking my dog, it's important to remember its collar.
  3. When youre walking my dog, it's important to remember it's collar.

The correct answer is 2. "You're" is a contraction of "you are", "it is important" so we use "it's" and we show that the collar belongs to the dog by using "its". Finally: 

  1. Luis' daughter won't go to sleep. 
  2. Luis's daughter wont go to sleep. 
  3. Luis's daughter won't go to sleep. 

Here, the right answer is 3. "Luis" is a single name, so gets an "apostrophe s", and "will not" is shortened to "won't". 

Hopefully you now feel more confident in using apostrophes in your writing. Look out for the next post in this series, where we’ll explore more common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

Read our blog posts "11 fascinating facts about English" and "Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 1)".

Explore language learning with Mondly by Pearson

More blogs from Pearson

  • Two people learning on a bridge with a high rise building behind them
    Five fun outdoor activities to practice a new language
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Learning a new language does not have to happen only at home or in a classroom. In fact, sometimes we spend too much time sitting at our computers or staying inside. Taking a break and going outside can help your mind feel fresh and more open to learning. A change of environment can improve focus and make learning feel more enjoyable.

    Going outside can also make language practice more fun, natural and memorable. When you use a language in real-life situations, you often remember words better and feel more confident speaking.

    Here are five simple and enjoyable outdoor activities to help you practice your new language.

    1. Try a role-play adventure walk

    Turn a simple walk into a creative language challenge. Imagine you are a tourist, a guide or even a storyteller exploring a new place. As you walk, speak aloud in your target language as if you were describing the place to someone else.

    What you can do:

    • Pretend to give a tour: “On the left, we see a beautiful park.”
    • Create a short story about what is happening around you
    • Ask and answer your own questions

    Why it helps: This method encourages you to speak more and use your imagination. It can help you feel more comfortable forming sentences and speaking for longer periods.

    Tip: Record yourself on your phone and listen later to notice mistakes and progress.

  • University students walking outside on campus
    Elevate your agency’s brand: The PTE Express effect
    By Alice Bazzi
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    In the competitive world of international education, your agency’s reputation is everything. Families trust you to guide them through one of the most important decisions of their children’s lives, and institutions rely on you to send well-prepared students. Every recommendation you make reflects on your brand.

    That’s why it’s important to choose solutions backed by a strong, trusted global reputation. PTE Express, powered by Pearson, is more than an English test; it also helps strengthen your organisation’s credibility in a competitive market.

    Why reputation matters in student recruitment

    Parents and students do not just look for speed and convenience, but also look for efficiency, reliability and integrity. When you recommend a test that universities recognize, you strengthen your own position as a trusted advisor. Furthermore, Pearson assessments are renowned for their quality and transparency: values that resonate with both your customers and your university partners.

    The Pearson advantage: Global recognition and trust

    Pearson is known throughout the education sector for its excellence. With decades of experience in learning and assessments, Pearson has built a reputation that institutions around the world rely on. PTE Express reflects this heritage, offering a secure, reliable English proficiency test designed with admissions in mind.

    When you recommend PTE Express, you are not just offering speed to your students but also offering a test backed by credibility, innovation and a well-trusted brand.

    How PTE Express enhances your brand

    • Professionalism: Recommending a Pearson-backed test signals that your agency prioritizes quality and compliance.
    • Reliability: Institutions know PTE Express scores are authentic and secure, reducing friction in the admissions process.
    • Client confidence: Families feel reassured when they see a globally-recognized name associated with their child’s academic future.

    The alignment positions your agency as a market leader, capable of delivering solutions that meet university standards.

    Security and speed: A winning combination

    PTE Express not only protects integrity through its high-quality security but also accelerates success. Students receive certified results within 48 hours, enabling them to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.

    For agents, this means fewer delays, smoother workflows and happier clients who will most likely refer more students in the long run. By promoting a test that combines speed with security, you differentiate yourself from competitors.

    Building long-term relationships through trust

    Your reputation grows through consistently supporting your students and earning the trust of families who recommend you to others. As more students progress to your partners, your agency gains wider recognition.

    When you offer a secure and efficient English test, families feel more confident in your process. That trust supports stronger partnerships, repeat business, and referrals.

    Lead with value in every interaction

    When discussing PTE Express with students or institutions, emphasize the benefits of what matters the most:

    • Pearson’s global reputation
    • Secure testing environment that is also flexible for the student
    • Rapid turnaround for results

    Elevate your brand today and find out more about PTE Express here.

  • Teacher talking to girl working on laptop in classroom smiling
    Designed for learning, built for growth: How Big Ben Education Group reimagined short-term programs
    By Emma Currie
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    The challenge: Creating meaningful learning in short-term programs

    In recent years, Big Ben Education Group faced a challenge: how to deliver meaningful learning within short-term programs. Although teachers were passionate and students motivated, their short-term courses lacked a clear academic structure, making learning feel rushed and less impactful. At the same time, they relied heavily on a single market and sought to attract a more diverse, global student mix.

    This raised a critical question: How do you design a short-term program that is both academically meaningful and appealing to a global student audience? That question led to the launch of their first Winter Camp in 2024.

    The turning point: From camp to structured learning experience

    The Winter Camp marked a major shift. For the first time, students from across China, Korea, Japan, Central Asia and the Middle East were brought together. Managing this level of cultural and linguistic diversity required more than enthusiasm; it required structure.

    The school introduced Big English as a core academic framework, giving teachers clarity on learning objectives and ensuring consistency across levels, even within a condensed timeframe.

    But the transformation didn’t stop in the classroom. Excursions were redesigned with clear learning goals, turning them into opportunities for real-world language application. This shift from activities to outcomes required careful planning and strong collaboration between academic and operations teams.  What emerged was something new – a structured, student-centered learning experience that balanced academic rigor with real-world engagement.