two tank's (tanks)

Quick answer

Don't use an apostrophe to make a noun plural. Apostrophes show possession (Anna's book) or form contractions (it's = it is). Plurals are formed with -s or -es: two tanks, As, CDs, 1990s. Use an apostrophe for omitted digits ('90s) or rarely for clarity (some guides allow A's), but not for regular plurals.

What a spurious apostrophe is

A spurious apostrophe appears where a plain plural, a possessive construction, or another form is correct. It's common on signs, menus, emails and casual notes: "cake's for sale" instead of "cakes for sale." The error makes writing look amateurish and can confuse meaning.

Possession: the team's coach (correct)
Contraction: she's = she is (correct)
Wrong plural: two tank's → two tanks (spurious apostrophe)

Where you'll see it in real writing

Spurious apostrophes turn up everywhere: workplace updates, student submissions, and casual messages. Seeing correct examples in context helps you spot the mistake quickly.

Work: Project updates, menus, file names.
School: Handouts, assignment titles, lab notes.
Casual: Social posts, signs, lists on refrigerators.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

These quick pairs train your eye. Each "Wrong" includes a common spurious-apostrophe pattern; the "Right" shows the correct form.

Wrong: Two tank's arrived.
Right: Two tanks arrived.
Wrong: Cake's for sale.
Right: Cakes for sale.
Wrong: 1990's fashion was loud.
Right: 1990s fashion was loud. (Use '90s for omitted digits.)
Wrong: Please turn in your assignment's.
Right: Please turn in your assignments.
Wrong: Mind your P's and Q's.
Right: Mind your Ps and Qs. (A house style may allow P's for clarity.)
Wrong: Employee's parking lot.
Right: Employees parking lot (or better: the employees' parking lot).

How to fix your sentence (three quick steps)

Simple edits stop spurious apostrophes from slipping through.

Identify whether the apostrophe is showing possession or contraction. If neither, remove it.
Read the sentence aloud with a plain plural inserted (add "two" or "many" before the noun to test). If it sounds right, keep the plain plural.
Reread for clarity; if the possessive is awkward, rephrase (e.g., "the results of the students").

Rewrite example 1: Original: This plan is common mistake's if everyone stays late.
Rewrite: This plan is common mistakes if everyone stays late. Better: This plan will work if everyone stays late.
Rewrite example 2: Original: The assignment's due next week.
Rewrite: The assignments due next week. Better: The assignment is due next week.
Rewrite example 3: Original: Student's lab results posted.
Rewrite: Students lab results posted. Better: The students' lab results are posted.

Targeted rewrites: work, school, and casual

Here are ready-to-use corrections that keep tone and clarity.

Work - Wrong: All employee's must sign in.
Right: All employees must sign in.
Work - Wrong: Client's feedback was positive.
Right: Clients' feedback was positive (if many clients) or Client feedback was positive.
Work - Wrong: Meeting minute's attached.
Right: Meeting minutes attached.
School - Wrong: The student's resources are online.
Right: The students' resources are online (or Student resources are online).
School - Wrong: Do not remove the lab's equipment.
Right: Do not remove the lab equipment.
School - Wrong: Quiz's are next week.
Right: Quizzes are next week.
Casual - Wrong: The kid's toys are everywhere.
Right: The kids' toys are everywhere (or Kids' toys are everywhere).
Casual - Wrong: 80's music hits hard.
Right: 80s music hits hard (or '80s music for omitted digits).
Casual - Wrong: Get your CD's here.
Right: Get your CDs here.

Memory trick

Link shape to function: apostrophes point inward toward ownership or a missing letter. If the mark isn't pointing to a person/thing owning something or a contraction, it doesn't belong. Practice by scanning a page and removing every apostrophe that doesn't answer "whose?" or "what's omitted?"

Test with "two" or "many" before the noun - if it still reads, use a plain plural.
Bulk-fix: search for apostrophe patterns like "s'" and check each in context.

Hyphenation, spacing, and related grammar notes

Spurious apostrophes often sit next to other punctuation problems. A quick guide:

Decades: 1990s (no apostrophe). Use '90s for omitted digits.
Single letters: As, Bs, CDs are preferred by many style guides; A's is acceptable in some house styles for clarity.
Possessives with plurals: Students' notebooks (plural possessive), student's notebook (singular possessive).
its vs it's: its = possessive, it's = it is/it has. This is not a spurious apostrophe; it's a different common error - watch for it.
Hyphenation and spacing: Decide whether a compound is closed, hyphenated, or open by default (check common usage). Mistakes often come from writing what sounds right instead of what's standard in print.

FAQ

Can I ever use an apostrophe to pluralize years or decades?

Write 1990s for the decade. '90s (with an initial apostrophe) is acceptable to show omitted digits. Don't write 1990's to mean the decade.

Should I write A's or As for grades and initials?

Both appear. Many formal guides prefer As and Bs; some allow A's for clarity. Follow your organization's style. For quick casual notes, Bs and As are usually legible.

How do I form plural possessives correctly?

If a plural noun ends in s, add only an apostrophe: the students' essays. If the plural doesn't end in s, add 's: the children's books.

What's a quick manual check before sending an email?

Scan for apostrophes: ask "whose?" or "what's omitted?" If neither fits, remove the apostrophe and recheck the sentence with a plain plural (try "two" or "many").

Should I preserve incorrect apostrophes in historical quotes?

Preserve original punctuation when quoting for historical accuracy. For modern copy, correct spurious apostrophes to avoid distracting readers.

Want a quick second pair of eyes?

Pair a grammar checker that highlights apostrophe misuse with the three-step rewrite method above to catch errors quickly and keep copy consistent and professional.