This especially quick tutorial is to clarify a single apostrophe usage that often confuses writers.
In manuscripts—and even in print—I frequently see the following:
Let’s go to the Molloy’s house.
Grammatically, this means:
Let’s go to the house of the Molloy.
Now, perhaps there is a big burly guy out there who is referred to as ‘the Molloy’, as in ‘Give that burrito to the Molloy before he chews someone’s arm.’ In that case, the above would be correct. But what the writer usually means is:
Let’s go to the Molloys’ house.
meaning:
Let’s go to the house of the Molloys. [a couple, or a family, or the three banjo-playing Molloy sisters]
If, on the other hand, the writer is referring to a particular Molloy:
Let’s go to the house of Molloy. [e.g. Joe Molloy]
then it would be:
Let’s go to Molloy’s house. [singular Molloy; no definite article]
Again, it comes down to singular versus plural: one Molloy or a bunch of them!
looking up/looking down 
Reblogged this on Desolie: thoughts about editing, writing and words and commented:
So beautifully explained by Amanda Curtin, this tutorial will help you on your quest for clear, sharp writing.
Thank you for sharing, Desolie 🙂
Thanks for these quick tutorials—they’re so helpful and clear. Please, please keep them coming!
You’re welcome, Louise. It’s good to know they’re useful 🙂
Many thanks for these invaluable tutorials, Amanda. Should you ever find yourself twiddling your thumbs looking for something to do and provided you’re inclined— I’d love to attend any tutorial workshops you ‘d like to hold. Mattie house? I’m sure you’d get a house full of devotees of fine grammar. I’d be happy to organise it. But maybe down the track, when you find yourself cleaning your kitchen cupboards… 🙂
Oh my, Marlish, the concept of looking for things to do instead of constantly being found by things to be done! But thanks, and I’m happy you’re getting something out of these 🙂
This wonderful tutorial comes at a time when I’m trying to decide whether the following requires an apostrophe, ….is available at our Nedlands rooms, and if so where should it go, after the s? I does look neater without it, but is it correct?
Hi Ursula 🙂 Your instincts are correct: it should be ‘our Nedlands rooms’. ‘Nedlands’ here is an adjective—possession doesn’t apply; it’s just the ‘s’ at the end of Nedlands that’s causing you to doubt. If it were ‘our East Perth rooms’, you wouldn’t think twice. 🙂
Oh, thank you so much for making it clear. Feeling more confident now.
You’re welcome 🙂
Apostrophe catastrophe
how can i keep them straight
whenever i sit down to write
they go straight out the gate
With your and you’re I’m never sure
And it’s such a crime
To know when using it’s or its
Takes up so much time…
So from Amanda help is near
to make it all so clear
Ownership and plurals show
the place to make it so…
But abbreviations still get out
and have a rampant go…
Tutorials on apostrophes don’t usually inspire a poetic response, so thank you for that, Tony! 🙂
On a laminated placard in front of me at the hairdresser’s today: Did you know that we now have a beautician in the shop who can do your fingernail’s while your having your hair done. When I pointed out that there were two errors, the hairdresser attending to me couldn’t find any.
Hi Davina. It’s everywhere, isn’t it. But I guess that’s no surprise when you consider how little attention grammar has been given in the school curriculum. Things are said to be changing—I hope so. Thanks for stopping by 🙂