Using Apostrophes
Using Apostrophes
There are two uses for apostrophes:
1. to form contractions
o did + not = didn’t
2. to show possession or ownership
o Jean’s essay was good.
’
Using Apostrophes
o
FORMING CONTRACTIONS
o I + am = I’m
o could + not = couldn’t
o
REMEMBER: The apostrophe takes the place
of the missing letter(s). Be sure to put it in
the right location!
o
Did’nt
Didn’t
Using Apostrophes
o
SHOWING POSSESSION: Singular
o
the hat belonging to the girl = the girl’s hat
the coat belonging to the boy = the boy’s coat
the title belonging to the book = the book’s
title
o
o
o
REMEMBER: You need to add both the
apostrophe and the -s.
Using Apostrophes
Tip: Even when a singular noun already ends in
-s, you must still add an apostrophe and an -s
to form the possessive.
o
The class’s test scores were high.
o
Lewis’s essay was interesting.
Using Apostrophes
SHOWING POSSESSION: Plural
Form the possessive of plural nouns, including
plural names, by adding just an apostrophe. No
additional -s is needed after the apostrophe
when the plural noun already ends in -s.
o
o
The two computers’ monitors were different.
The Clintons’ relationship is interesting.
Using Apostrophes
Tip: When a plural noun does not end in -s, you
must add an apostrophe and -s to form the
possessive.
o
The children’s boots are covered with mud.
o
Men’s fashions do not change as radically as
women’s do.
Using Apostrophes
HERE’S A COMMON MISTAKE!
Don’t make a noun possessive when it really is
just a plain old plural.
X did well.
The students’
plain old plural
The students’ success was well deserved.
possessive
Using Apostrophes
Here’s another common mistake! Don’t mix up
possessives and contractions.
Possessive
Contraction
theirs
there’s
(= there is)
who’s
(= who is)
you’re
(= you are)
whose
your
Using Apostrophes
o
Here’s an exception to the rule about
forming possessives: Possessive
pronouns do not use apostrophes.
o That is ours.
o That is yours.
o That is theirs.
o That is hers.
o That is his.
Using Apostrophes
Using Apostrophes
Many people confuse its and it’s.
Remember that its, which means belonging to
it, is like other possessive pronouns—it
doesn’t take an apostrophe!
The contraction it’s means it is. The
apostrophe tells you that the letter i is
missing.
Using Apostrophes
o
The bakery donates its leftover bread to a soup
kitchen.
o
It’s too late to register for that course now.
Using Apostrophes
A turtle hides it’s head and legs when
its afraid.
A turtle hides its head and legs when
it’s afraid.
Using Apostrophes
Its snowing, so the traffic department
will send out it’s plows.
It’s snowing, so the traffic department
will send out its plows.
Using Apostrophes
And that’s all there is to know about
apostrophes. Easy, isn’t it?
Using Apostrophes
THE LESSONS
END
…oops, I meant
THE LESSON’S END!
To review apostrophes, see
Chapter 32.