{"id":1178,"date":"2026-07-12T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T03:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2026-07-19T16:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T11:09:10","slug":"apostrophe-academic-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Apostrophes in Scientific Writing: Examples, Tips, Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Apostrophes are small punctuation marks that can have a significant impact on clarity and professionalism. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-good-research-paper\/\">research papers<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-a-dissertation-best-practices\/\">dissertations<\/a>, they are used much less frequently than in general writing because academic style favors precision, objectivity, and formal language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide explains when apostrophes should and should not be used in research papers, theses, dissertations, grant proposals, and scientific reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242121\">Why apostrophes matter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242122\">The two main uses of apostrophes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242123\">Apostrophes for possession<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242124\">Contractions in scientific writing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242125\">Apostrophes and abbreviations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242126\">Apostrophes in species names<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242127\">Apostrophes in units and symbols<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242128\">Common Mistakes in Apostrophe Usage<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242129\">Apostrophe versus Prime Sign (\u2032)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242130\">Quick editing checklist for apostrophe usage<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Toc234242131\">Key takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Why_apostrophes_matter\" >Why apostrophes matter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#The_two_main_uses_of_apostrophes\" >The two main uses of apostrophes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_for_possession\" >Apostrophes for possession<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Singular_nouns\" >Singular nouns<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Examples\" >Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Singular_nouns_ending_in_s\" >Singular nouns ending in s<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Plural_nouns_ending_in_s\" >Plural nouns ending in s<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Examples-2\" >Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Irregular_plural_nouns\" >Irregular plural nouns<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Examples-3\" >Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Possessive_pronouns_do_NOT_use_apostrophes\" >Possessive pronouns do NOT use apostrophes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Examples-4\" >Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Its_versus_its\" >Its versus it&#8217;s<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Correct\" >Correct<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Incorrect\" >Incorrect<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Quick_test\" >Quick test<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Whose_versus_whos\" >Whose versus who&#8217;s<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_with_names\" >Apostrophes with names<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Examples-5\" >Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_with_organizations\" >Apostrophes with organizations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Compound_nouns\" >Compound nouns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Joint_possession\" >Joint possession<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Time_and_measurement_expressions\" >Time and measurement expressions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Scientific_terminology_that_uses_apostrophes\" >Scientific terminology that uses apostrophes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Contractions_in_scientific_writing\" >Contractions in scientific writing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_and_abbreviations\" >Apostrophes and abbreviations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_in_species_names\" >Apostrophes in species names<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_in_units_and_symbols\" >Apostrophes in units and symbols<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophes_are_NOT_used_for_plurals\" >Apostrophes are NOT used for plurals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Plurals_of_abbreviations\" >Plurals of abbreviations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Plurals_of_numbers\" >Plurals of numbers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Common_Mistakes_in_Apostrophe_Usage\" >Common Mistakes in Apostrophe Usage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Apostrophe_versus_Prime_Sign_%E2%80%B2\" >Apostrophe versus Prime Sign (\u2032)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#When_to_use_the_prime_sign\" >When to use the prime sign<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#1_Minutes_of_angle\" >1. Minutes of angle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#2_Minutes_of_time\" >2. Minutes of time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#3_Feet_and_inches\" >3. Feet and inches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#4_Mathematics\" >4. Mathematics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#5_Physics_and_engineering\" >5. Physics and engineering<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#6_Molecular_biology_and_genetics\" >6. Molecular biology and genetics<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Do_not_substitute_an_apostrophe_for_a_prime_sign\" >Do not substitute an apostrophe for a prime sign<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#How_to_insert_the_prime_sign\" >How to insert the prime sign<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Best_practice\" >Best practice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Quick_editing_checklist_for_apostrophe_usage\" >Quick editing checklist for apostrophe usage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/#Key_takeaways\" >Key takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_apostrophes_matter\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242121\">Why apostrophes matter<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Correct apostrophe usage helps readers distinguish between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Possession<\/li><li>Contractions<\/li><li>Plurals<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Misusing apostrophes is one of the most common punctuation errors in manuscripts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_two_main_uses_of_apostrophes\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242122\">The two main uses of apostrophes<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Use<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Showing possession<\/td><td>the patient&#8217;s symptoms<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Forming contractions<\/td><td>don&#8217;t, it&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In scientific writing, contractions are generally avoided, so most apostrophes indicate possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_for_possession\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242123\">Apostrophes for possession<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Singular_nouns\"><\/span>Singular nouns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Add <strong>&#8216;s<\/strong> to singular nouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>the author&#8217;s hypothesis<\/td><td>the author hypothesis<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the participant&#8217;s response<\/td><td>the participants response<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the cell&#8217;s membrane<\/td><td>the cells membrane<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the specimen&#8217;s weight<\/td><td>the specimen weight<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples\"><\/span>Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The patient&#8217;s blood pressure was monitored continuously.<\/li><li>The virus&#8217;s genome was sequenced.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The sample&#8217;s temperature increased rapidly.<\/li><li>The detector&#8217;s sensitivity improved.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The participant&#8217;s responses were coded.<\/li><li>The teacher&#8217;s observations supported the findings.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Singular_nouns_ending_in_s\"><\/span>Singular nouns ending in s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most scientific style guides recommend adding <strong>&#8216;s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Preferred<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Also seen<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>James&#8217;s experiment<\/td><td>James&#8217; experiment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Harris&#8217;s model<\/td><td>Harris&#8217; model<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow your journal&#8217;s preferred style consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plural_nouns_ending_in_s\"><\/span>Plural nouns ending in s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Add only an apostrophe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>the researchers&#8217; conclusions<\/td><td>the researchers&#8217;s conclusions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the patients&#8217; records<\/td><td>the patient&#8217;s records (if multiple patients)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the students&#8217; essays<\/td><td>the student&#8217;s essays<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples-2\"><\/span>Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The researchers&#8217; interpretation differed from previous studies.<\/li><li>The patients&#8217; outcomes were assessed after six months.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Irregular_plural_nouns\"><\/span>Irregular plural nouns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Add <strong>&#8216;s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>children&#8217;s development<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>women&#8217;s health<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>men&#8217;s attitudes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>people&#8217;s perceptions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples-3\"><\/span>Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Children&#8217;s nutritional status improved significantly.<\/li><li>Women&#8217;s participation increased over time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Possessive_pronouns_do_NOT_use_apostrophes\"><\/span>Possessive pronouns do NOT use apostrophes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is among the most common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>its<\/td><td>it&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>yours<\/td><td>your&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>theirs<\/td><td>their&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>ours<\/td><td>our&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>whose<\/td><td>who&#8217;s (unless meaning &#8220;who is&#8221;)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples-4\"><\/span>Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714 The instrument reached its maximum operating temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2718 The instrument reached it&#8217;s maximum operating temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_versus_its\"><\/span>Its versus it&#8217;s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most frequently confused pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Word<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>its<\/td><td>belonging to it<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>it&#8217;s<\/td><td>it is or it has<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Correct\"><\/span>Correct<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The protein lost its function.<\/li><li>It&#8217;s important to calibrate the equipment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect\"><\/span>Incorrect<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The protein lost it&#8217;s function.<\/li><li>Its important to calibrate the equipment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_test\"><\/span>Quick test<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Replace <em>it&#8217;s<\/em> with <em>it is<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the sentence still makes sense, use <strong>it&#8217;s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whose_versus_whos\"><\/span>Whose versus who&#8217;s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Word<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>whose<\/td><td>possessive<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>who&#8217;s<\/td><td>who is<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714 Researchers whose data met the criteria were included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714 Who&#8217;s responsible for the laboratory inventory?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_with_names\"><\/span>Apostrophes with names<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Add <strong>&#8216;s<\/strong> to most names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Newton&#8217;s laws<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Darwin&#8217;s theory<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fisher&#8217;s exact test<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pearson&#8217;s correlation coefficient<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples-5\"><\/span>Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Newton&#8217;s second law explains acceleration.<\/li><li>Fisher&#8217;s exact test was used for small sample sizes.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_with_organizations\"><\/span>Apostrophes with organizations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizations can be possessive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The university&#8217;s ethics committee approved the study.<\/li><li>The journal&#8217;s guidelines were followed.<\/li><li>The laboratory&#8217;s equipment was upgraded.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compound_nouns\"><\/span>Compound nouns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Add the apostrophe to the final word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>the editor-in-chief&#8217;s decision<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>my PhD supervisor&#8217;s recommendation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the director of research&#8217;s comments<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Joint_possession\"><\/span>Joint possession<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When two people own something together, add the apostrophe only to the last name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Smith and Jones&#8217;s study<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If each owns something separately, both receive apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Smith&#8217;s and Jones&#8217;s laboratories<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time_and_measurement_expressions\"><\/span>Time and measurement expressions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Time expressions often take possessive apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>one year&#8217;s follow-up<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>two weeks&#8217; notice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>three months&#8217; observation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>five years&#8217; experience<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Participants completed one year&#8217;s follow-up.<\/li><li>The study involved three months&#8217; observation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scientific_terminology_that_uses_apostrophes\"><\/span>Scientific terminology that uses apostrophes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some scientific terms traditionally contain apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Examples<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Parkinson&#8217;s disease<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alzheimer&#8217;s disease<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hodgkin&#8217;s lymphoma<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Euler&#8217;s equation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fourier&#8217;s law<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hooke&#8217;s law<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Avogadro&#8217;s constant (older usage varies)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Always follow the terminology preferred by your target journal or discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contractions_in_scientific_writing\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242124\">Contractions in scientific writing<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Formal scientific writing usually avoids contractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Informal<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Formal<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>don&#8217;t<\/td><td>do not<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>can&#8217;t<\/td><td>cannot<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>isn&#8217;t<\/td><td>is not<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>doesn&#8217;t<\/td><td>does not<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>weren&#8217;t<\/td><td>were not<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>we&#8217;ve<\/td><td>we have<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Less formal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>We didn&#8217;t observe any differences.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Preferred<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>We did not observe any differences.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_and_abbreviations\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242125\">Apostrophes and abbreviations<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Possession is acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>DNA&#8217;s structure<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>MRI&#8217;s limitations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PCR&#8217;s sensitivity<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, many editors prefer rewording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>DNA&#8217;s structure<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>the structure of DNA<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This often sounds more formal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_in_species_names\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242126\">Apostrophes in species names<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scientific names themselves do not use apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Escherichia coli<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Arabidopsis thaliana<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Drosophila melanogaster<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Possession is expressed normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><em>E. coli<\/em>&#8216;s growth rate<\/li><li>the growth rate of <em>E. coli<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The second construction is generally preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_in_units_and_symbols\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242127\">Apostrophes in units and symbols<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Units never take apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>10 kg<\/td><td>10 kg&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5 cm<\/td><td>5 cm&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20 mL<\/td><td>20 mL&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophes_are_NOT_used_for_plurals\"><\/span>Apostrophes are NOT used for plurals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Never use apostrophes simply to make a word plural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>tables<\/td><td>table&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>figures<\/td><td>figure&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>assays<\/td><td>assay&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>samples<\/td><td>sample&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plurals_of_abbreviations\"><\/span>Plurals of abbreviations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most style guides do not use apostrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Less preferred<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>PCRs<\/td><td>PCR&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>MRIs<\/td><td>MRI&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PhDs<\/td><td>PhD&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>RCTs<\/td><td>RCT&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plurals_of_numbers\"><\/span>Plurals of numbers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No apostrophe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>the 1990s<\/td><td>the 1990&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>three 7s<\/td><td>three 7&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the 2000s<\/td><td>the 2000&#8217;s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_in_Apostrophe_Usage\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242128\">Common Mistakes in Apostrophe Usage<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>it&#8217;s role<\/td><td>its role<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the student&#8217;s participated<\/td><td>the students participated<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>three sample&#8217;s<\/td><td>three samples<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>researchers finding&#8217;s<\/td><td>researchers&#8217; findings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the journals policy<\/td><td>the journal&#8217;s policy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>patient&#8217;s were enrolled<\/td><td>patients were enrolled<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PCR&#8217;s were performed<\/td><td>PCRs were performed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apostrophe_versus_Prime_Sign_%E2%80%B2\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242129\">Apostrophe versus Prime Sign (\u2032)<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the apostrophe (\u2019) and the prime sign (\u2032) look similar, they serve entirely different purposes. In scientific writing, using the correct character is important because many journals and publishers distinguish between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Apostrophe (\u2019)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Prime sign (\u2032)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Indicates possession or contractions<\/td><td>Indicates units, derivatives, labels, or mathematical notation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Punctuation mark<\/td><td>Mathematical or scientific symbol<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Example: the author&#8217;s data<\/td><td>Example: 35\u2032, f\u2032(x)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_use_the_prime_sign\"><\/span>When to use the prime sign<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Minutes_of_angle\"><\/span>1. Minutes of angle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The prime sign denotes <strong>arcminutes<\/strong> in angular measurements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>45\u00b0 30\u2032<\/td><td>45 degrees, 30 arcminutes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18\u2032<\/td><td>18 arcminutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The telescope was aligned within <strong>2\u2032<\/strong> of the target position.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Minutes_of_time\"><\/span>2. Minutes of time<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The prime sign also represents <strong>minutes<\/strong> when expressing time in certain scientific disciplines, especially astronomy and navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>12\u2032 30\u2033<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5\u2032<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Feet_and_inches\"><\/span>3. Feet and inches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside academic writing, the prime sign is widely used for feet and inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>6\u2032 2\u2033<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5\u2032 10\u2033<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although this notation is common, many scientific journals prefer SI units (meters or centimeters) instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Mathematics\"><\/span>4. Mathematics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The prime sign commonly indicates derivatives or modified variables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>f\u2032(x)<\/td><td>First derivative<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>y\u2032<\/td><td>Derivative of y<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>x\u2032<\/td><td>A transformed or related variable<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A\u2032<\/td><td>A modified point or object<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The function <strong>f\u2032(x)<\/strong> reached zero at the critical point.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Physics_and_engineering\"><\/span>5. Physics and engineering<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Prime symbols distinguish related quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>T\u2032<\/li><li>V\u2032<\/li><li>E\u2032<\/li><li>P\u2032<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These often represent transformed, corrected, estimated, or secondary variables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Molecular_biology_and_genetics\"><\/span>6. Molecular biology and genetics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Prime notation identifies the orientation of nucleic acid strands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>5\u2032 end<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3\u2032 end<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5\u2032\u21923\u2032 direction<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA in the <strong>5\u2032\u21923\u2032<\/strong> direction.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_not_substitute_an_apostrophe_for_a_prime_sign\"><\/span>Do not substitute an apostrophe for a prime sign<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many word processors automatically insert an apostrophe when a prime sign is intended. While they may look similar in some fonts, they are different Unicode characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>5\u2019 end<\/td><td>5\u2032 end<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>f\u2019 (x)<\/td><td>f\u2032(x)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>45\u00b0 30\u2019<\/td><td>45\u00b0 30\u2032<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6\u2019 2\u201d<\/td><td>6\u2032 2\u2033<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, do not use the prime sign where an apostrophe is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Correct<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>the researcher\u2019s data<\/td><td>the researcher&#8217;s data<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>the patient\u2019s symptoms<\/td><td>the patient&#8217;s symptoms<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>It\u2019s important<\/td><td>it&#8217;s important<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_insert_the_prime_sign\"><\/span>How to insert the prime sign<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most equation editors and scientific writing software include the prime sign as a mathematical symbol. In Microsoft Word, you can insert it through <strong>Insert \u2192 Symbol<\/strong> or by typing <strong>2032<\/strong> and pressing <strong>Alt + X<\/strong> (Windows). In LaTeX, use the apostrophe character in math mode (for example, f'(x)), which is rendered as a proper prime symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_practice\"><\/span>Best practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Use the <strong>apostrophe (&#8216;)<\/strong> only for possession and contractions.<\/li><li>Use the <strong>prime sign (\u2032)<\/strong> for mathematical notation, derivatives, angular measurements, molecular biology notation (5\u2032 and 3\u2032), and similar scientific conventions.<\/li><li>Use the <strong>double prime sign (\u2033)<\/strong>, not a quotation mark (&#8220;), for arcseconds or inches when those symbols are required.<\/li><li>Check proofs carefully, as automatic formatting or font substitutions can accidentally replace a prime sign with an apostrophe or vice versa.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_editing_checklist_for_apostrophe_usage\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242130\">Quick editing checklist for apostrophe usage<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before submitting your manuscript, check the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>\u25a1 Is every apostrophe showing possession rather than an incorrect plural?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Have you avoided contractions unless required?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Have you distinguished <strong>its<\/strong> from <strong>it&#8217;s<\/strong> correctly?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Are plural possessives correctly punctuated?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Are possessive pronouns written without apostrophes?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Have you checked discipline-specific terms and journal style?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Are abbreviations pluralized without unnecessary apostrophes?<\/li><li>\u25a1 Are units, symbols, and scientific names free from incorrect apostrophes?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_takeaways\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc234242131\">Key takeaways<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Rule<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Singular possession<\/td><td>the author&#8217;s manuscript<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Plural possession<\/td><td>the researchers&#8217; data<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Irregular plural possession<\/td><td>children&#8217;s health<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Possessive pronoun<\/td><td>its accuracy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Contraction<\/td><td>it&#8217;s important<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Avoid contractions in formal writing<\/td><td>do not, cannot<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No apostrophes for plurals<\/td><td>tables, figures, assays<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No apostrophes in units<\/td><td>10 kg, 5 cm, 20 mL<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prefer formal phrasing<\/td><td>the structure of DNA rather than DNA&#8217;s structure<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In scientific writing, apostrophes should be used sparingly and purposefully. Most appear in possessive constructions, while contractions are generally avoided. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-edit-proofread-dissertation-thesis-checklist\/\">proofreading your dissertation<\/a> or research paper, pay attention common confusions, especially <strong>its<\/strong> versus <strong>it&#8217;s<\/strong>. This will help produce manuscripts that are precise, professional, and consistent with academic style.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Apostrophes are small punctuation marks that can have a significant impact on clarity and professionalism. In research papers or dissertations, they are used much less frequently than in general writing because academic style favors precision, objectivity, and formal language. This guide explains when apostrophes should and should not be used in research papers, theses, dissertations, [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_ayudawp_aiss_exclude":false,"_ayudawp_aiss_summary":"In scientific writing, contractions are generally avoided, so most apostrophes indicate possession. Before submitting your manuscript, check the following:. \u25a1 Is every apostrophe showing possession rather than an incorrect plural?. \u25a1 Have you avoided contractions unless required?. \u25a1 Have you distinguished its from it's correctly?. \u25a1 Are plural possessives correctly punctuated?. \u25a1 Are possessive pronouns written without apostrophes?. \u25a1 Have you checked discipline-specific terms and journal style?. \u25a1 Are abbreviations pluralized without unnecessary apostrophes?. \u25a1 Are units, symbols, and scientific names free from incorrect apostrophes?. In scientific writing, apostrophes should be used sparingly and purposefully.","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_provider":"extractive","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_hash":"911275ea478ef4fcc4c9522dc8838ac005c4a791"},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Using Apostrophes in Scientific Writing: Examples, Tips, Rules - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn key rules of using apostrophes in a research paper\/thesis\/essay, especially for pluralization, and differences from the prime sign.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/apostrophe-academic-writing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Using Apostrophes in Scientific Writing: Examples, Tips, Rules - 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