Apostrophes to shorten Shorten the words in these sentences by using apostrophes where necessary. I am the greatest. You are the only friend I have got. He will hurt you. The gun is loaded. They are out to get me. It is so peaceful here.

Now rewrite the following passage spelling out the verbs in full, instead of using apostrophes to shorten them. You’re going on a journey to the centre of the earth. You’ll face terrible dangers. It’s Tracy’s job to help you face them. She’s been well trained, and I know she’ll do her best. We’ll all be thinking of you back here at base. I’d love to come with you, but we’re having friends round for dinner.

Apostrophes and negatives isn’t don’t shouldn’t wouldn’t doesn’t couldn’t can’t is not do not should not would not does not could not cannot More complicated ones . . . shan’t won’t shall not will not

The dog must not eat sweets. The fish cannot survive out of water. Rewrite the sentences below, shortening them with apostrophes: The dog must not eat sweets. The fish cannot survive out of water. The gerbil does not like the cat. The cat will not leave the gerbil alone. I shall not expect to see you again. I could not stand it anymore. He does not understand me.

Next: apostrophes to show ownership but first . . .

Cathy’s new bike is the bee’s knees. Apostrophes to show ownership An apostrophe can be used at the end of a word to show that something belongs to that word. If the word is singular, then you need to add an s after the apostrophe. Cathy’s new bike is the bee’s knees. The cat’s mother.

Carlys hairstyle is a bit like Amandas. Put an apostrophe where needed in these sentences. Carlys hairstyle is a bit like Amandas. The old mans stick was like a shepherds crook. Kevins socks were smellier than Seans. Sameenas dress was not to her mothers liking.

Don’t put an apostrophe in ours, yours, or theirs Don’t put an apostrophe in ours, yours, or theirs. Look at this example: We can’t lend you the mower. It’s not ours. It belongs to the Browns. It’s theirs. You’ll have to get yours fixed. There is an apostrophe in it’s because it is short for it is. When its is used to show that something belongs to it, don’t use an apostrophe. It’s a shame the dog got its head stuck.

Mrs Uptons head ached – and so would yours Mrs Uptons head ached – and so would yours. St Johns was doing Romeo and Juliet and she was in charge of costumes. St Bedes had done it last year and she wanted her costumes to outdo theirs. But Romeos tights were laddered, Juliets dress was too short, and the Friars habit had been in the headmasters dogs basket. Its hairs were everywhere.

Apostrophes and plurals Plural words refer to more than one thing. Bats, frogs, ants, children, women When plural words ending in s have things belonging to them, this is shown by placing an apostrophe after the s. Bats’ wings, frogs’ legs, ants’ nest If a plural word doesn’t end in an s, just add one after the apostrophe. Children’s books, women’s views, men’s hairdresser.

The girl’s eyes were blue. The girls’ eyes were blue. How do you decide where the apostrophe goes? Ask yourself: who do the eyes belong to? The girl? (Just one girl.) Then the apostrophe goes after ‘girl’: The girl’s eyes were blue. The girls? (More than one girl.) Then the apostrophe goes after ‘girls’: The girls’ eyes were blue.

Add apostrophes where necessary to the following sentences. The cats bowls were full. The pupils work was excellent. The rains flooded the insects nest. Womens feet are smaller than mens. Childrens toys are expensive.

A short video to revise the two main uses of apostrophes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq2HJS0B3sk