Q. I am always confused about using the apostrophe. Can you give me an easy way to know when and where to add an apostrophe?
A. General grammar rules for plurals and possessives:
Plurals
Normally, just add an "s" - The Smiths
When a name ends in "s, z, x, ch", or any sound that would be difficult to pronounce with just an "s", add "es" - The Foxes, The Joneses, The Churches. No apostrophe is needed for pluralizing.
Possessives
Singular - Bob's Place - Apostrophe goes before the "s"
Plural
The Smiths' Place - Apostrophe goes after the "s".
In other words, Smiths' is both plural and possessive. First make it plural, add the "s", then make it possessive, add the apostrophe.
When a name ends in "s, z, x, sh, ch", or any sound that would be difficult to pronounce with just an "s", place a apostrophe as the end - The Joneses' Place, The Foxes' Place, The Churches' Place, My parents' place.
Once again first make it plural, then make it possessive.