Explain the rules for using apostrophes to show possession.

The rules for using apostrophes to show possession are as follows:

1. Singular nouns: To show possession for singular nouns, add an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) at the end of the noun. For example: "The dog's bone" or "John's car."

2. Plural nouns: For most plural nouns, add an apostrophe after the "s" at the end of the word. For example: "The dogs' bones" or "The students' books." However, if the plural noun does not end in "s," add an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) just like with singular nouns. For example: "The children's toys" or "The men's jackets."

3. Joint possession: When two or more people share ownership of something, the apostrophe is added only to the last noun. For example: "John and Mary's house" or "The company's employees' benefits."

4. Indicating possession with compound nouns: If a compound noun is used to show possession, the apostrophe is added to the last word of the compound. For example: "My mother-in-law's car" or "The President of the United States' speech."

5. Possessive pronouns: Possessive pronouns, such as "yours," "hers," "theirs," "its," "ours," and "mine," already indicate possession and do not require an apostrophe.

6. Avoiding confusion: It is important to use apostrophes correctly to avoid confusion. For example, "its" is the possessive form of "it," while "it's" is a contraction of "it is." Similarly, "your" is the possessive form of "you," while "you're" is a contraction of "you are."

Remember that apostrophes are not used to make words plural. Using an apostrophe to indicate plural form is incorrect and should be avoided.

By following these rules, you can effectively use apostrophes to show possession in your writing.