apostrophe (’)

Use ’s to indicate the possessive of singular and proper nouns not ending in s: Timothy’s, the church’s attendance, the bishop’s request, the fox’s den, Xerox’s profit margin.

Use ’s for singular common nouns ending in s: the virus’s spread, the witness’s reply

Use just an apostrophe (’) for plural nouns and singular proper names ending in s: Jesus’ example, James’ letter, Moses’ law, the churches’ request, states’ rights.

For parishes named after a saint, the saint’s name takes an apostrophe: St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, St. James’ Episcopal Church, All Angels’ Episcopal Church.

Do not use an apostrophe after a word ending in ‘s’ when it is primarily used descriptively: a writers guide, the rectors college, citizens band radio. A way to remember this is that if “for” or “by” would be appropriate in the longer version, rather than “of,” an apostrophe is not usually needed. A guide for writers, the college for rectors, a radio band for citizens.