use of the apostrophe

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Paulc80125  #221261  Sun, 30 Apr 06 06:23 PM
If you please, can anyone explain the rules that govern the placement and use of the apostrophe i.e. Paul's versus Pauls' ?
Thank you for your help,
Paul Culver
  
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Pravinth  #221267  Sun, 30 Apr 06 07:23 PM

Hi i am not good in english so u must not blame if its wrong. But i want to help you with my less knowledge:

  paul's -means paul represents a single person/object

  pauls' -means paul represents a group of poeple/object

        ----I AM NOT CERTAIN -It may be wrong-But this is what i think so- for a long time.

So please--- any other good english gurus -clear our doubt

   

  
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Grammar Geek  #221276  Sun, 30 Apr 06 07:58 PM

Paul's book - Paul is one person. The apostrophe goes before the s.

The boys' books - The boys are more than one person. The apostrophe goes after the s.

Pauls' is an unlikely situation. There are several people named Paul and you want to refer to something that belongs to these Pauls as a group. You're not really likely to see this.

  
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Pravinth  #221347  Sun, 30 Apr 06 11:15 PM
Thank You Mr.Grammar Geek
  
Jan1650  #471643  Fri, 01 Feb 08 09:35 PM

I have a question about possessive use of apostrophes.

Sentence is as follows:

He lets go of her hand to shake Sean's. 

The hand is implied, not written, so do I use it with an apostrophe or without like "He lets go of her hand to shake Seans."

  
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