Where Does Apostrophe Go in Years?
The use of apostrophes can sometimes be confusing, especially when it comes to indicating possession or creating contractions. One area where this confusion often arises is in the placement of apostrophes in years. Should the apostrophe be used before or after the year? In this article, we will explore the rules for using apostrophes in years and provide answers to some common questions.
1. Should I use an apostrophe before the year?
No, you should not use an apostrophe before the year to indicate possession. Apostrophes are not used to show ownership in years.
2. Should I use an apostrophe after the year?
Yes, you should use an apostrophe after the year when abbreviating the century. For example, “the 1980s” can be written as “the ’80s.”
3. Can I use an apostrophe when referring to a decade?
Yes, you can use an apostrophe when referring to a decade to indicate a contraction. For example, “the ’90s” is a contraction of “the 1990s.”
4. Is it correct to use an apostrophe in the plural form of a year?
No, it is not correct to use an apostrophe in the plural form of a year. Pluralizing a year does not require an apostrophe.
5. How do I indicate possession with a year?
To indicate possession with a year, you should use the apostrophe before the “s” without an additional apostrophe after the year. For example, “the 1990s’ fashion trends.”
6. Can I use an apostrophe before the “s” in a year to indicate a plural?
No, you should not use an apostrophe before the “s” in a year to indicate a plural. Simply add an “s” to the year. For example, “the 1990s.”
7. How do I write the plural form of a single digit year?
To write the plural form of a single digit year, add an apostrophe before the “s” without an additional apostrophe after the year. For example, “the ’80s.”
8. Is it correct to use an apostrophe in abbreviations like BC and AD?
No, it is not correct to use an apostrophe in abbreviations like BC (before Christ) and AD (anno Domini). These abbreviations do not require an apostrophe.
9. Can I use an apostrophe when referring to a century?
No, you should not use an apostrophe when referring to a century. The apostrophe is only used to indicate the contraction of years within a century.
10. How do I write a possessive form of a century?
To write a possessive form of a century, use the apostrophe before the “s” without an additional apostrophe after the century. For example, “the 1800s’ literature.”
11. Can I use an apostrophe before the “s” in a century to indicate a plural?
No, you should not use an apostrophe before the “s” in a century to indicate a plural. Simply add an “s” to the century. For example, “the 1900s.”
12. Is it correct to use an apostrophe when writing the year as a shortened form?
No, it is not correct to use an apostrophe when writing the year as a shortened form. The apostrophe is only used to indicate contractions within a year or century.
In conclusion, the placement of apostrophes in years can be confusing. Remember not to use an apostrophe before the year to indicate possession, but use an apostrophe after the year when abbreviating the century. Additionally, use the apostrophe before the “s” without an additional apostrophe after the year to indicate possession. Avoid using an apostrophe when pluralizing a year or century. By following these rules, you can confidently use apostrophes in years without any confusion.