The use of apostrophes in English can sometimes be confusing, particularly when it comes to possessive forms. One such question that often arises is whether the phrase “last year’s” requires an apostrophe. The short answer is: yes, “last year’s” does have an apostrophe. However, understanding why requires a closer look at the rules of possessive nouns and how they apply to this particular phrase.
The Role of the Apostrophe in Possession
An apostrophe is used in English to indicate possession, meaning that something belongs to someone or something. The general rule for forming possessives is simple: for singular nouns, you add an apostrophe followed by an “s” to show ownership. For plural nouns that already end in “s,” you only add the apostrophe after the “s.”
For example:
- Singular possessive: “The dog’s bone” (The bone belongs to the dog).
- Plural possessive: “The dogs’ bones” (The bones belong to the dogs).
Understanding “Last Year’s”
In the case of “last year’s,” the apostrophe is used to indicate possession of something by “last year.” Here, “last year” is being used as a noun to represent a specific time period, and the apostrophe shows that something belongs to or is associated with that time.
- Correct usage: “Last year’s report was very detailed.”
- In this sentence, the report belongs to or is from “last year.” The apostrophe is used to show that the report is associated with or created in the previous year.
It’s important to note that the apostrophe is placed before the “s” because “year” is a singular noun. Even though “last” is an adjective in this case, “year” is the noun being made possessive.
Common Misunderstandings
Some people might wonder if the apostrophe should be placed differently or omitted altogether. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- “Last years” vs. “Last year’s”: Without the apostrophe, “last years” would imply a plural form of “last year” (i.e., multiple years in the past), which is not the intended meaning. “Last year’s” refers to something from the previous year, not multiple years.
- “Last years'”: This would be incorrect because “last years” is not typically considered a plural possessive. The phrase refers to a single past year, not several years in the past.
Examples of Correct Usage
To further clarify, here are some examples of correct and incorrect uses of “last year’s”:
- Correct:
- “Last year’s weather was unusually warm.”
- “I still have last year’s calendar hanging on the wall.”
- “Last year’s performance was the best we’ve seen.”
- Incorrect:
- “Last years weather was unusually warm.” (Missing apostrophe)
- “Last years’ weather was unusually warm.” (Incorrect placement of apostrophe)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the phrase “last year’s” does indeed require an apostrophe, as it is a possessive form indicating that something belongs to or is associated with the previous year. Remember that the apostrophe comes before the “s” because “year” is singular. Proper use of apostrophes in possessive constructions can help clarify meaning and maintain grammatical accuracy. Whether you’re referring to last year’s performance, events, or anything else from the past year, make sure to include the apostrophe to correctly convey possession.
