Common mistake Apostrophe in dates
Apostrophe in Dates
Using apostrophes in dates can be a source of confusion for many people. It is important to know when to use them and when to leave them out. One common mistake is using an apostrophe when referring to decades.
Apostrophes Aren't Needed for Decades
When referring to a decade, such as the 1990s or the 2000s, it is incorrect to use an apostrophe before the "s" to indicate plural. The apostrophe is not used to show possession in this case.
- Correct: The 1990s were a time of economic growth.
- Incorrect: The 1990's were a time of economic growth.
As you can see in the example, the correct way to write it is "the 1990s," without an apostrophe before the "s." This rule applies to all decades, not just the 1990s.
It's important to remember that an apostrophe is used in dates to indicate possession or contraction, but not for pluralizing a decade.
If you're unsure about whether to use an apostrophe in a date, a tool like the Linguix grammar checker can help you catch and correct these kinds of mistakes.
Apostrophe in dates mistake examples
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Incorrect:Hillary Clinton asked where Bernie Sanders was in the 1990's.Correct:Hillary Clinton asked where Bernie Sanders was in the 1990s.
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Incorrect:Hillary Clinton asked where Bernie Sanders was in the 90's.Correct:Hillary Clinton asked where Bernie Sanders was in the 90s.
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Incorrect:Where were you in the 1990’s?Correct:Where were you in the 1990s?
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Correct:Disc wheels replaced the Alvis 12/70's wire wheels and are fitted with larger tyres.
