Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 1 Lesson 2 Nouns Capitalization and possessive forms are some of the most common problems with nouns. Common Capitalization Errors Proper nouns—the names of particular persons, places, and things—are capitalized. Example: Did you know that Dr. Joseph P. Epstein has opened a new office in the Truman Building on Everett Street?

Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 2 Lesson 2 Nouns CapitalizeDo not capitalize titles when they are part of a name: President Carter family-relationship words used as names: I saw Mom and Uncle Tony at the play. names of specific school courses: Algebra 2, World Problems I names of days and months names of seasons: Monday, March titles when they are not part of a name: the senator’s new office family-relationship words not used as names: I saw my mom and my uncle. names of school subjects: I studied algebra and history last night. names of seasons: spring, summer (continued)

Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 3 Lesson 2 Nouns CapitalizeDo not capitalize names of specific geographic regions: problems in the Middle East first, last, and all important words in titles: “The Day the Ship Went Down” names of compass directions: We drove west all night. prepositions of four or fewer letters in titles: “A Climb over the Fence”

Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 4 Lesson 2 Nouns Nouns with Apostrophes Apostrophes are used to form possessive nouns. Add apostrophe s (’s) to form the possessive of all singular nouns. Examples: my sister’s hat, James’s bicycle

Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 5 Lesson 2 Nouns Nouns with Apostrophes Apostrophes are used to form possessive nouns. Add apostrophe s (’s) to form the possessive of all singular nouns. Examples: my sister’s hat, James’s bicycle Also add apostrophe s (’s) to form the possessive of plural nouns that do not end in s. Examples: men’s shoes, the oxen’s yoke

Common Writing Problems: Nouns 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 6 Lesson 2 Nouns Nouns with Apostrophes Just add an apostrophe (’) to form the possessive of plural nouns that end in s. Examples: the Smiths’ house, two doctors’ opinions, those lilies’ scent Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun.