April 2026 Newsletter
- Bob McCalden
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
Welcome to the April 2026 newsletter from the Apostrophe Protection Society
If you're a new member, you've already had a personal welcome — but let me say it again: Welcome! And to all our long-standing members, thank you, as always, for your continued support.
APS Website - Updated home page and Rogues' Gallery
I've made a few changes to the website homepage over the last few weeks, aiming to bring it to life a bit more with additional content and previews. If you can spare a few minutes, please have a look and let me know what you think. As always, the website is at www.apostrophe.org.uk
The Rogues' Gallery also has quite a few new entries that you, our members, have sent in. You might like to look at some of those as well for a quick spot of amusement or horror. My particular favourite new entry, for obvious reasons, has to be the "Bobs Garage" sign!
Apostrophes and Joint Possession: Who Owns What?
Apostrophes rarely cause quite as much quiet confusion as they do when possession is shared. Is it John and Mary’s house, or John’s and Mary’s house? The answer, as ever, depends on what you mean — and clarity of meaning is precisely what good punctuation should serve.
When two (or more) people jointly own something, only the final name takes the possessive apostrophe:
John and Mary’s house
Tom, Dick and Harry’s plan
This tells us that the house or the plan is shared. There is one house; there is one plan.
However, if each person owns something separately, each name needs its own apostrophe:
John’s and Mary’s houses
Tom’s, Dick’s and Harry’s plans
Now we are dealing with multiple houses or plans, one belonging to each individual.
The distinction may seem subtle, but it is far from trivial. Apostrophes, when correctly placed, remove ambiguity and allow the reader to grasp meaning instantly. When misplaced — or omitted altogether — they can leave the reader wondering whether ownership is shared, separate, or simply unclear.
As always, the guiding principle is not pedantry but precision. Apostrophes are not decorative marks to be scattered at will; they are tools for conveying meaning. Used well, they do their job quietly and efficiently. Used badly, they invite confusion.
And that is something we should all wish to avoid, whether the house is John and Mary’s, or John’s and Mary’s.
In the Media
For those of you not familiar with it, Countdown is a much-loved British TV game show involving word and mathematical tasks. It's been running since 1982 and is currently in its 92nd series.
One of the regular contributors is the lexicographer Susie Dent. On the show broadcast on 23 March 2026, she remarked:
"There is an Apostrophe Protection Society and I kind of secretly admire them."
It might only be a brief mention, but coming from Susie Dent it's a notable moment for the APS!
Importantly, it also triggered a small but noticeable influx of new members. If you're one of those, welcome!
I also took part, in my capacity as APS Chairman, in a not-for-broadcast pilot of a new television comedy panel show. The four-page non-disclosure agreement I signed prevents me from saying much more, but if the programme is commissioned for a series, you will be among the first to hear.
Apostrophe Spotting: Readers’ Finds
Our Rogues’ Gallery continues to grow, showing that apostrophe misuse remains as widespread and as inventive as ever.
One recent example had the rather wonderful plural possessive "Womens's Clothing”. It's the sort of apostrophe misuse that leaves me speechless, wondering how anyone managed to come up with that. On a similar theme, the apostrophe misuse on a pub sign stating "Pie Night's" simply shows a complete lack of understanding about what apostrophes are for.
These are small errors, easily made — but also easily avoided. A quick pause to ask "is this just a simple plural?" or “does this word really show possession?” is often all that is needed.
I am always pleased to receive contributions for future editions, so if you come across an errant apostrophe in your day-to-day travels, do send it in. Photographs are particularly welcome, and especially so if the example rivals the more imaginative entries in our Rogues’ Gallery.
After all, vigilance remains our most effective tool — alongside, of course, a well-placed apostrophe.
That's all for this month. Thank you again for being part of the APS. Your support — and your passion for punctuation — is always appreciated.
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob McCalden
Apostrophe Protection Society
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