I know using ChatGPT as a source is frowned upon, but I couldn’t find a rule anywhere online, so I asked it:

When using an apostrophe to indicate possession of a noun surrounded by quotation marks, like a movie title, does the apostrophe go inside the quotation marks, like ‘Hello’s’, outside the quotation marks, like ‘Hello’’s, or collapse into the quotation marks, like ‘Hello’s?

Great question! When using an apostrophe to indicate possession with a noun that is a title in quotation marks, the apostrophe goes outside the closing quotation mark. Here’s how it works:

* Correct: “Hello”’s
* Not: “Hello’s” (this incorrectly places the apostrophe inside the title)
* Not: “Hello’s (this leaves the quotation mark open)

This is because the possessive 's applies to the entire title—not to the word within the title. So you close the title with its quotation mark first, then add the 's.

Example in a sentence:

* “The Godfather”’s influence on modern cinema is undeniable.

Let me know if you want the Chicago Manual of Style or AP Style breakdown, too—there can be slight nuance depending on the guide you’re following.

Yes, I’d like the AP Style’s breakdown.

Absolutely! Here’s how AP Style handles it:

In AP Style, punctuation generally goes inside quotation marks—except in specific cases, like possessives and certain compound constructions, where clarity and logic override that default.

Possessive with Quoted Titles in AP Style:

* Correct (AP Style): “Hello”’s
* Why? The apostrophe-s is not part of the quoted material—it is possessive of the title, so it comes after the closing quotation mark.

This holds even though AP typically puts punctuation inside quotation marks. Apostrophes (and sometimes question marks, colons, etc.) can fall outside if they’re not part of the original quoted material.

Example:

* “Titanic”’s box office success broke records.
* NOT: “Titanic’s box office success broke records. (This changes the quoted title.)

Let me know if you want comparisons with Chicago or MLA too, since they can differ slightly in punctuation logic.

Yes, what are the differences with Chicago Style?

Great—here’s how Chicago Style differs from AP Style when it comes to possessives and quotation marks:

Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS):

Chicago is more logical and grammatical in its approach, rather than typographically conventional. It places punctuation inside or outside quotation marks depending on whether it’s part of the quoted material.

Possessive with Quoted Titles:

Chicago agrees with AP here:

* Correct (Chicago Style): “Hello”’s
* The apostrophe-s goes outside the quotation marks, because it’s not part of the title—it applies to the entire quoted title as a unit.

CMOS example:

* “The Godfather”’s legacy is huge.

So for possessives, both Chicago and AP agree: apostrophe-s follows the closing quote, because the quote contains the noun, and the apostrophe applies to the noun, not to the quote itself.

Where They Differ:

* Commas and periods:
* * AP Style always puts them inside quotation marks.
  * * He said, “Hello.”

  * Chicago Style puts them inside as well—but only when they’re part of the sentence’s natural flow. It allows more flexibility with question marks, colons, and semicolons.

* Other punctuation (colons, semicolons, etc.):
* * Chicago places them outside unless part of the quoted material.
  * AP generally avoids this construction or rewrites to keep punctuation inside.


So in your case—possessives of quoted titles—Chicago and AP actually align, which is rare!

Let me know if you want MLA or APA comparison too—they get even more nuanced.

When using a single quote around the title, does the same rule apply?

Yes—the same rule applies when using single quotation marks around a title. The apostrophe-s for possession still goes outside the closing quotation mark, regardless of whether the quote is single or double.

Why?

Because the 's is not part of the title, but a grammatical addition to it. So whether you’re using double quotes ("Title") or single quotes ('Title'), the possessive follows the same logic.

Examples:

With double quotes (standard in American English):

* “Inception”’s plot is complex.

With single quotes (often used within another quote or in British English):

* ‘Inception’’s plot is complex.

Note that it looks a bit clunky, especially with single quotes, because you get back-to-back apostrophes: 'Inception''s.

But it’s still correct. The first ' closes the title; the second 's makes it possessive.

If you’re writing for style, you might sometimes rephrase to avoid the awkward look:

* Instead of: ‘Inception’’s themes are deep.
* You could write: The themes of ‘Inception’ are deep.

Let me know if you’re writing in British English or academic style—single vs double quotes can be reversed depending on the context.