Apostrophes!

Apostrophe 411 Used to show possession Contractions Plurals **Some of their uses are contradictory—that’s why they can be confusing!**

Showing Singular Possession Add ‘s to make most single nouns possessive A day’s pay, Harry’s vomit Add only ‘ OR ‘s to words that already end in s if pronunciation would be difficult with ‘s Socrates’ philosophy Massachusetts’ law

Showing Plural Possession Add only ‘ to show possession for plural nouns ending in s The instructors’ salaries, Three weeks’ pay Add ‘s for words that don’t use “s” to form plurals The children’s boots, Two men’s rooms

Showing Joint Possession Indicates that two or more people share something The apostrophe should be added to the last item in the series Bob and Carol’s house Exception: Add the apostrophe to both items to show individual possession Ex: Ted’s and Alice’s cars

Rules for Compound Nouns There are some hyphenated nouns Add ‘s to the end of the word Brother-in-law’s boat

Forming Contractions Didn’t, it’s, she’s Apostrophes are used to show where letters or numbers are left out Didn’t, it’s, she’s

Forming Plurals Add ‘s to form the plurals of numbers, letters, symbols and abbreviations A sale on VCR’s, I got 2 A’s

Trouble Spots Don’t use apostrophes to form the plural of names Bad: Come to the party with the Jackson’s Good: Come to the party with the Smiths Don’t use apostrophes to make nouns plural Bad: Customer’s will be served Good: Customers will be served

One Last Thing… Remember that it’s means IT IS This word is NOT possessive! Go get its leash It’s about time this presentation ended

Warm-Up: 9/27/10 *Find the error in apostrophes in each sentence and correct it. WRITE OUT THE SENTENCE Their still in the gym going over an acrobatics routine. Please don’t forget my sister-in-laws shoes. The oldest castle dates back 30 century’s ago. The leopard cannot change it’s spots. The word tomorrow has two rs in it.

Warm-up: *Add apostrophes to the following sentences* Her boyfriends brother drives that Ford F250 We could hear the childrens voices in the hallway. The students supplies have arrived from Texas. (plural) The teachers presentation was really good. (singular) The DVDs batteries need to be replaced.

Warm-up: The three princesses crowns are shiny. Somebodys child will be upset that swimming is canceled. Mrs. Jones daughter is coming over today. The deers food is being eaten by mice. (plural) It was Illinois law that caught the serial killer.