Where Does the Apostrophe Go in a Year?
The correct placement of apostrophes is a common source of confusion for many people, especially when it comes to indicating possession in words. When discussing a year, the apostrophe plays a crucial role in distinguishing between a plural and possessive form. In this article, we will explore the rules governing the placement of apostrophes in a year and answer some common questions related to this topic.
The general rule for using an apostrophe in a year is as follows:
1. For plural years: When referring to a decade or a range of years, the apostrophe is placed before the “s” to indicate a plural form. For example, “the 1990s” or “the 1900s.”
2. For possessive years: When indicating possession in a year, the apostrophe is placed before or after the “s” depending on whether the year is a singular or plural possessive noun.
Now, let’s address some common questions related to the placement of apostrophes in a year:
1. Is it correct to write “1990’s” to refer to a decade?
No, the correct form is “1990s” without an apostrophe since it indicates a plural form.
2. How do you indicate possession in a year that ends with a “s”?
If the year is singular, such as “1986,” you would add an apostrophe and an “s” after the year: “1986’s success.” However, if the year is plural, such as “the 1980s,” you would add only an apostrophe after the “s”: “the 1980s’ fashion.”
3. Which form is correct: “the 1900s” or “the 1900’s”?
“The 1900s” is the correct form since it indicates a plural form, not possession.
4. Can I use an apostrophe to indicate a range of years?
No, an apostrophe is not used to indicate a range of years. Instead, you can use a hyphen to indicate a range, such as “the 1980-1990 period.”
5. What is the possessive form of “the year 2000”?
The possessive form of “the year 2000” is “the year 2000’s significance.”
6. How do you indicate possession in a year that doesn’t end with a “s”?
For a singular possessive noun, like “1920,” you would add an apostrophe and an “s” after the year: “1920’s invention.” If the year is plural, such as “the 1950s,” you would add only an apostrophe after the “s”: “the 1950s’ music.”
7. Is it correct to write “the 1800’s”?
No, it is incorrect. The correct form is “the 1800s” since it indicates a plural form.
8. Can I use an apostrophe to indicate a millennium?
No, an apostrophe is not used to indicate a millennium. Instead, you can write “the second millennium” or “the third millennium.”
9. What is the possessive form of “the year 1984”?
The possessive form of “the year 1984” is “the year 1984’s impact.”
10. How do you indicate possession in a year that ends with a “0”?
If the year is singular, such as “1990,” you would add an apostrophe and an “s” after the year: “1990’s discovery.” However, if the year is plural, such as “the 1960s,” you would add only an apostrophe after the “s”: “the 1960s’ culture.”
11. Is it correct to write “the 1900’s”?
No, it is incorrect. The correct form is “the 1900s” since it indicates a plural form.
12. How do you indicate possession in a year that ends with a “1”?
If the year is singular, such as “1961,” you would add an apostrophe and an “s” after the year: “1961’s event.” However, if the year is plural, such as “the 1920s,” you would add only an apostrophe after the “s”: “the 1920s’ literature.”
Understanding the correct placement of apostrophes in a year is essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy. By following these rules, you can confidently communicate possession or plurality in relation to a specific year or range of years.