Apostrophes!
Part I:
RULE #1: WHEN YOU HAVE A NOUN THAT IS SINGULAR
(MAN, GIRL, CAT) AND YOU WANT TO MAKE IT POSSESSIVE,
ADD AN (‘S)!
EXAMPLES:
THE MAN’S HAT IS BLUE.
THE GIRL’S MOM IS BENEVLOLENT.
THE CAT’S MEOW IS LOUD.
RULE #2:
WHEN YOU HAVE A NOUN THAT IS PLURAL BUT
DOES NOT END IN “S”, (MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN) AND YOU
WANT TO MAKE IT POSSESSIVE, ADD AN (‘S) JUST LIKE IN
THE FIRST RULE!
EXAMPLES:
THE MEN’S BATHROOM IS PAINTED GREEN.
THE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS UNDEFEATED.
THE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND NEEDS NEW PICNIC TABLES.
RULE #3: WHEN YOU HAVE A NOUN THAT IS PLURAL WHICH
ENDS IN “S,” (CANS, BEANS, WINDOWS) AND YOU WANT TO
MAKE IT POSSESSIVE, ADD AN APOSTROPHE AFTER THE “S”!
EXAMPLES:
THE DOCTORS’ UNION IS ORGANIZING TODAY AT 3PM.
THE LAWYERS’ CLUB IS HAVING DINNER TONIGHT.
THE JONES’ PET IS A CUTE CAT.
LET’S PRACTICE!
DIRECTIONS: Add either an “apostrophe” or an “apostrophe s” for each of the
words written in bold.
1. The children….ward.
2. Several doctors…files.
3. A dog….footprints.
4. Both clerks…wages.
5. A person…umbrella.
6. The people…choice.
7. The girls…gym.
8. The Joneses…terrace.
9. Those men…cars.
10. Two women…rings.
PART II
REGULAR RULES APPLY TO WORDS EXPRESSING PERIODS OF
TIME & AMOUNTS OF MONEY!
EXAMPLES:
AN HOUR’S DELAY
A MONTH’S VACATION
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
FINAL PRACTICE EXERCISE
DIRECTIONS: EACH SENTENCE REQUIRES 2 APOSTROPHES-PLACE THEM IN
THE CORRECT PLACES.
1. Sandy knows all her customers names and is everybodys friend.
2. Last Sundays seminar on womens concerns was reported in the news.
3. Sandras notebook contains all the members names and addresses.
4. Mens coats button on the right, but womens coats button on the left.
5. Elaine cannot expect to make up a semesters work in three days time.
6. Mrs. Barrys young daughter knows all the players batting averages.
7. A childs interests are different from an adults.
8. The Parents Club cooperated with our principals plan.
9. This companys policy is to give a years free service with each appliance.
10. Myra has had five years experience in several doctors offices.