Apostrophes at Work: Contractions, Possessives, and Plurals: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Contractions: Filling in the Blanks
An apostrophe’s most common job is to show where letters have been removed when we combine two words. These are called contractions, and they are heavily used in fast-typed emails and chat messages.
When you combine words, the apostrophe always goes exactly where the missing letters used to be.
✅ I can't believe the server is down. (can not) ❌ I cant believe the server is down.
Always use an apostrophe for common workplace contractions like don't, I'm, won't, isn't, and doesn't. Skipping them can make your messages look unprofessional or even change the meaning of your sentence.
Possession: Who Owns What?
We also use apostrophes to show ownership. The rules change slightly depending on whether the owner is singular or plural.
For a singular noun, add 's: ✅ The client's feedback was very positive. (One client owns the feedback)
For a plural noun that already ends in s, just add an apostrophe at the very end (s'): ✅ The clients' feedback was very positive. (Multiple clients own the feedback)
This rule also applies to time expressions! When time acts as a possessive, you need an apostrophe. Think of it as "the meeting of today" or "the notice of two weeks."
✅ Are you ready for today's meeting? (Singular: today) ✅ Please give two weeks' notice before leaving. (Plural: two weeks)
The Plural Acronym Trap
Here is a rule that trips up many professionals: do not use an apostrophe to make an acronym plural.
Apostrophes show possession or missing letters, not plurals. If you have more than one API, KPI, FAQ, or 1:1 meeting, simply add a lowercase s to the end.
✅ We need to update the FAQs and check the APIs. ❌ We need to update the FAQ's and check the API's.
The only time an acronym gets an apostrophe is if it actually owns something (for example, The CEO's decision).
The Ultimate Exception: It's vs. Its
The most common apostrophe mistake in English involves the word it. Because we usually add 's to show possession, people naturally want to write it's to mean "belonging to it." However, pronouns follow their own rules!
- It's is strictly a contraction for it is or it has.
- Its is the possessive form (just like his or hers).
✅ It's clear that the new app needs to improve its connection speed. ❌ Its clear that the new app needs to improve it's connection speed.
Common Error Note: B1-B2 learners frequently mix these up when typing quickly. If you are ever confused about which one to use, try replacing the word with "it is." If the sentence still makes sense ("It is clear..."), use it's. If it sounds ridiculous ("...improve it is connection speed"), use its!
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct answers are I'm reviewing the new KPIs, and it's clear we need a new strategy. and The team's taking a short break because the APIs aren't responding.
Acronyms: Plural acronyms like KPIs and APIs do not need an apostrophe (unless they own something!).
Contractions: Always use an apostrophe to replace missing letters in contractions like I'm (I am), it's (it is), aren't (are not), and team's (team is).
Question 2
The HR manager is rushing to type out a quick reminder about resignation policies, but her punctuation is a bit tangled.
Select the option that has perfect grammar and punctuation.
The correct answer is When an employee gives two weeks' notice, it's important to schedule their final 1:1s.
- two weeks' notice: Because "weeks" is plural, the possessive apostrophe goes after the s.
- it's: We need the contraction for "it is," not the possessive "its."
- 1:1s: Plural numbers and acronyms just take a lowercase s with no apostrophe!
Question 3
Help the stressed event coordinator by dragging the correctly punctuated words to complete her message.
I hope everyone is ready for today's big VIP event. The catering staff said they won't be able to set up the buffet until noon. Please review the FAQs document if customers ask about parking. Finally, we need to make sure all five clients' gift bags are placed on their respective seats before the doors open.
I hope everyone is ready for today's big VIP event.
Time expressions use an apostrophe + s for singular possessives (the event belonging to today).
The catering staff said they won't be able to set up the buffet until noon.
"Won't" is the contraction of "will not." The apostrophe goes between the "n" and "t".
Please review the FAQs document if customers ask about parking.
Plural acronyms (Frequently Asked Questions) do not take an apostrophe. Just add an "s".
Finally, we need to make sure all five clients' gift bags are placed on their respective seats before the doors open.
Since we are talking about multiple clients (plural), the apostrophe goes after the "s".
Question 4
I'm: A contraction for "I am," requiring an apostrophe where the "a" is missing.
APIs: Acronym plurals do not take an apostrophe (unless they are possessive, which is not the case here).
client's: The server belongs to one client, requiring a singular possessive 's.
doesn't: A contraction for "does not," with the apostrophe replacing the "o" in "not."
two weeks': Time phrases take a possessive apostrophe. Since "weeks" is plural, the apostrophe goes after the 's'.
KPIs: Just like APIs, acronym plurals simply take a lowercase "s" without an apostrophe.
Question 5
The correct answers are Sarah gave her two weeks' notice before today's meeting. and I will reassign both clients' portfolios to the new manager.
Time Possessives: Words related to time can show possession. For singular time, the apostrophe goes before the s (today's meeting). For plural time, it goes after the s (two weeks' notice).
Plural Possessives: Because there are two clients (plural), the apostrophe goes after the s (clients'). Writing client's would mean there is only one client.
Question 6
Your coworker just panic-typed a messy Slack message about a tech issue: "I cant believe the new APIs are down! Its going to ruin todays meeting."
Help them out by choosing the option that perfectly fixes all the missing and incorrect apostrophes!
The correct answer is I can't believe the new APIs are down! It's going to ruin today's meeting.
Let's break it down:
- can't: Needs an apostrophe because it's a contraction of "cannot."
- APIs: Plural acronyms do not take an apostrophe.
- It's: Needs an apostrophe because it means "It is."
- today's: Needs an apostrophe to show time possession (the meeting belonging to today).
Question 7
it's: "It's" is a contraction of "it is" (It is almost time).
today's: Time phrases take a possessive apostrophe (the meeting of today).
clients': Since there are multiple clients (indicated by "all our"), the apostrophe goes after the plural 's'.
won't: This is the contraction for "will not" and requires an apostrophe.
team's: The presentation belongs to the team (singular collective noun), so we use 's.
its: The possessive form of "it" does not have an apostrophe.
Question 8
The correct answers are It's important to update the FAQs so the system doesn't crash. and The company is updating its website, but it won't take long.
It's vs Its: Use it's only when you mean "it is" or "it has." Use its (no apostrophe) for possession (the company's website = its website).
Contractions: Don't forget the apostrophes in negative contractions like doesn't (does not) and won't (will not).
Plurals: Do not use apostrophes to make acronyms plural (FAQs, not FAQ's).
Question 9
Drag the correctly punctuated words to fix this hasty project manager's chat message.
The new app is great, but we still need to fix its connection to the main server. Please check the team's shared folder for the updated documentation. We don't want to delay the launch any further. Make sure all the APIs are working perfectly before tomorrow morning!
The new app is great, but we still need to fix its connection to the main server.
"Its" without an apostrophe is the possessive form of "it". "It's" means "it is" or "it has."
Please check the team's shared folder for the updated documentation.
"Team" is a singular noun here, so we add an apostrophe + s to show possession.
We don't want to delay the launch any further.
"Don't" is a contraction of "do not," and the apostrophe replaces the missing "o".
Make sure all the APIs are working perfectly before tomorrow morning!
Acronyms (like APIs, KPIs, and PRs) are made plural by simply adding a lowercase "s". No apostrophe is needed!
Question 10
A frantic event planner is texting her assistant about three very demanding VIP clients.
Choose the grammatically correct version of her message.
The correct answer is The clients' demands are getting out of hand, and the team doesn't know what to do.
Because there are multiple clients, we use the plural possessive clients' (apostrophe after the s).
For the contraction of "does not," the apostrophe replaces the missing "o," making it doesn't.