DO WE NEED APOSTROPHES?

Apostrophes are mainly used in contractions and to denote possession.
(They should not be used for plurals – apostrophes used incorrectly in this context are known as grocers’ apostrophes.)

Tiger Webb argues that we should get rid of them. His main point appears to be that they contribute nothing to clarity in writing.

While it can be argued that the meanings of some possessives would be obvious without the apostrophe, this is not always the case.

David Marsh, writing in the Guardian, gives an excellent example of apostrophes being essential for clarity in the following four phrases, which differ only in the placing of their apostrophes and have completely different meanings.

The guitarist’s friend’s CD (refers to one guitarist and one friend).
The guitarist’s friends’ CD (one guitarist with more than one friend).
The guitarists’ friend’s CD (more than one guitarist; one friend).
The guitarists’ friends’ CD (more than one guitarist; their friends).

While the contraction “don’t” is not a valid word without its apostrophe, omitting apostrophes from she’ll (shell), he’ll (hell) and we’re (were), among others, would cause confusion.

Regarding Mr Webb’s suggestion that eliminating apostrophes from our language would stop grammar vigilantes from committing property damage, that would be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I would also argue that while the activities of the vigilante in question might not be strictly legal, his corrections were done extremely carefully, and “property damage” is a slight exaggeration.

Sorry, Mr Webb; I disagree — let’s not get rid of the apostrophe!