A Friendly Guide to Apostrophes vs Quotation Marks

Apostrophes and quotation marks look similar, but the difference between them is enormous.  

An apostrophe (’) is part of a contraction or a possessive noun, while quotation marks (”) show where a title or quotation begins and ends.  

The rules for apostrophes and quotation marks are detailed, making them challenging to understand. 

The good news? In my experience helping thousands of student writers, apostrophes and quotation marks get easier with practice. The tips and common errors in this article will make them easier for you, too. 

Let’s dive in.

How to use apostrophes

Although apostrophes may seem tiny, they make a big impact on your writing. Apostrophes have two main uses: contractions and possessive nouns.

Apostrophes in contractions

A contraction is a shortened version of two words. The apostrophe takes the place of the letters that are dropped when combining the words.

Common contractions:

• They’re = they are
• We’re = we are
• Could’ve = could have  
•  Isn’t = is not    
•  It’s = it is or it has
• That’s = that is
• We’ll = we will

Examples:

I’ve seen every episode of Friends at least five times. (I’ve = I have)

The spinoff series Joey wasn’t very popular. (wasn’t = was not)

You can also make a contraction with a noun (a person, place, or thing) + is. Contractions like these help us write and speak more concisely. 

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Examples:

Rachel’s working at Central Perk in the morning. (Rachel’s = Rachel is)

The television’s broken again, so we can’t watch Friends. (television’s = television is)

Apostrophes in possessives

Apostrophes also show which nouns are possessive. A possessive noun has ownership of another noun in the sentence.

So, where does the apostrophe go in a possessive noun? It depends on whether the noun is singular (one person, place, or thing) or plural (more than one).

Singular possessive nouns

To make a singular possessive noun, add an apostrophe + -s, even if the singular noun already ends in -s. 

Examples:

The apartment’s front door was purple and gold.

While reading Rachel’s letter, Ross fell asleep. 

Ross’s love for Rachel began in high school. 

A possessive noun doesn’t have to be a person; it can also be a place or thing. For example, in the phrase the apartment’s front door, the front door belongs to the apartment.

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Plural possessive nouns

Apostrophe rules for plural possessives are different. The apostrophe usually goes after the plural -s. 

Example: 

Ross spent all weekend grading his students’ exams.

Here, the apostrophe goes after the plural -s to show that many students had exams.

But some plural nouns don’t end in -s. Some examples include children, people, and women. In that situation, add an apostrophe + s.

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Example: 

I used to watch Friends after my children’s bedtime.

Because children doesn’t end in -s, you need an apostrophe + -s to make it possessive. 

Apostrophe errors to avoid

Here are some common apostrophe errors to steer clear of. 

Error 1: Apostrophes in words that are plural but not possessive

❌ My friend’s all have interesting hobbies.

✅ My friends all have interesting hobbies.

Here, the hobbies do belong to the friends, but the verb have already says that. It would also be correct to write, My friends’ hobbies are all interesting.

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Error 2: Apostrophes in numbers that represent decades

❌ The 1990’s were an exciting time for fans of grunge music.  

✅ The 1990s were an exciting time for fans of grunge music.  

Decades do not need apostrophes unless they’re possessive, as in the 1990s’ best television series.  

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Error 3: Apostrophe mistakes with pronouns

The apostrophes in it’s, you’re, and who’s are tricky because those words are not possessive. They’re contractions for it is, you are, and who is. They also sound just like these possessive pronouns: its, your, and whose.

❌ Its like your always stuck in second gear.

✅ It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear.

How to use quotation marks

The rules I’ll explain next will help you further understand the difference between apostrophes and quotation marks. 

Writers use quotation marks in two situations: for titles of shorter works and when quoting someone else. American English uses double quotation marks in both situations.

Double quotation marks for titles in American English

Quotation marks show which words in the sentence are part of a title. They also show that the title is for a short work — such as songs, articles, poems, short stories, and episodes of television series — versus a long work. Titles of longer works, such as movies and television series, need italics instead of quotation marks. 

Example: 

One of the funniest episodes of Friends is “The One with All the Wedding Dresses.”

Generally, if the title of the work you’re using is part of a larger work, it should have quotation marks. The following chart demonstrates the different formatting for short and long works.

Double quotation marks for quotations in American English

Quotation marks are essential anytime you quote another person in your writing. They help you avoid plagiarism — presenting another person’s words or ideas as your own.  

Example:

In a BBC article, Clare Thorp explains, “Many elements of Friends were fantastical — underemployed adults living in enormous Greenwich Village apartments for one — but the idea of constructing an alternative family from friends was one that resonated.”

Sentences with quotations should also include the author’s name or other details about where the quotation came from.

If you’re using quotations in academic writing, you may also need to follow other specific guidelines, such as APA style, MLA style, or the Chicago Manual of Style. 

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Single quotation marks in American English

American English also uses single quotation marks in special situations. A single quotation mark looks identical to an apostrophe, and it’s the same computer keystroke. In American English, when a quotation includes the title of a shorter work or another quotation, use single quotation marks around the quote within the quote.

Example: 

Ellen Gutoskey explains, “Since its television debut in 1995, Friends's ‘Smelly Cat’ song has become ubiquitous in pop culture’s collective consciousness.”

You’d normally use double quotation marks for the song title “Smelly Cat.” But in this example, it’s part of a quotation, so it gets single quotation marks. 

Quotation marks in British English

In British English, the rules for single and double quotation marks are the reverse of American English rules. British English writers use single quotation marks for titles of shorter works and quotations. Double quotation marks are for a title or a quotation within a quotation.

Examples:

• Title in British English: One of the most popular songs from Taylor Swift’s album Midnights is ‘Lavender Haze.’
• Quotation in British English: In a 2019 BBC article, Clare Thorp explains, ‘Many elements of Friends were fantastical – underemployed adults living in enormous Greenwich Village apartments for one – but the idea of constructing an alternative family from friends was one that resonated’.‍
• Title or quotation within a quotation: Ellen Gutoskey explains, ‘Since its television debut in 1995, Friends's “Smelly Cat” song has become ubiquitous in pop culture’s collective consciousness’.

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Quotation mark errors to avoid

These common quotation mark errors will help you understand the difference between apostrophes and quotation marks.

Error 1: Quotation marks around titles of longer works

❌ “Friends” was on the air from 1994 to 2004 and remains popular today.

✅ Friends was on the air from 1994 to 2004 and remains popular today.

Here, quotation marks are not correct because Friends is the title of a television series.

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Error 2: Quotation marks for words that aren’t quotations or titles

❌ My “friends” canceled at the last minute.

✅ My inconsiderate friends canceled at the last minute.

Using quotes for sarcasm is not ideal. Instead, use precise word choices to say what you mean. In the second example, the adjective inconsiderate gives a clearer message.  

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Error 3: Quoting another writer without quotation marks

❌ In spite of some recent challenges, to quote the Beatles, I get by with a little help from my friends.  

✅ In spite of some recent challenges, to quote the Beatles, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

When you quote another person in your writing, use quotation marks to show which words are theirs.

Conclusion

Apostrophes and quotation marks have very different uses, but they both lead to clear writing.

Use an apostrophe when you’re writing a contraction or a possessive noun.

Use quotation marks for titles of short works, such as songs or short stories. Quotation marks are also essential when you’re quoting another person’s words.

Now that you know the difference between apostrophes and quotation marks, practice using them in your writing.  

Looking for more ways to polish your writing? Check out our articles on grammar and punctuation and proofreading. Also, use Wordtune’s Editor to help you find apostrophe and quotation mark errors in your writing. 

FAQs

What’s the difference between an apostrophe and quotation marks?

An apostrophe (’) is used for contractions and possessive nouns. Quotation marks (”) show where a title or a quotation begins and ends.  

When do I need quotation marks for titles?

You need quotation marks for titles of shorter works, such as songs, short stories, and articles. Titles of longer works, such as albums, books, and magazines, need italics.