Using Apostrophes Why are apostrophes important? Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Possessive personal pronouns Indefinite pronouns Special problems with possessives Contractions Plurals Review A Review B

Why are apostrophes important? The apostrophe can serve several different purposes. Mainly, the apostrophe is used to show ownership, or possession. Here is Justin’s baseball cap. Is this the cat’s collar?

Why are apostrophes important? The apostrophe can also show where something is missing in a contraction. they will they’ll he has he’s Sometimes, in special cases, the apostrophe is used to form plurals. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

Why are apostrophes important? A missing apostrophe can cause confusion. There are two as in this word. There are two a’s in this word. An unnecessary apostrophe is also confusing. Do you know it’s price? Do you know its price? Knowing where to place an apostrophe—and why—will help make your writing clearer. [End of Section]

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case of most singular nouns. the coach’s plan Ross’s room a bird’s nest

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns For the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an s or z sound, add only the apostrophe if the noun has two or more syllables and adding an apostrophe and an s will make the word awkward to pronounce for goodness’ sake Achilles’ battles Otherwise, add an apostrophe and an s. Ms. Schwartz’s car the witness’s testimony

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns If a plural noun ends in s, just add an apostrophe. the girls’ uniforms the Jacksons’ yard

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Some irregular plural nouns do not end in s. Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case. Singular Plural Plural Possessive man men men’s goose geese geese’s

Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns A possessive personal pronoun never has an apostrophe—even when the pronoun ends in s. I got a great price on mine. Did you buy yours at the same place he bought his? I like your new bike.

Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns Most possessive personal pronouns have two forms. Can you see their kite? Is that one theirs? my mine your yours his, her, its his, hers, its our ours their theirs These forms are used before nouns. These forms stand alone. Do not add an apostrophe to any of these pronouns.

Possessive case Indefinite pronouns In the possessive case, indefinite pronouns need an apostrophe and an s. Everybody’s hopes were high. One player got in the other’s way.

Possessive case On Your Own For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or words in parentheses. 1. The ___________ toys are all over the floor. (children) 2. Are those notebooks _________? (you) 3. He did not take _________ opinion seriously. (anyone) 4. _______________ tulips are blooming. (Mrs. Katz) 5. The _________ claim to fame is _________ candy factory. (town, it)

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Compound nouns In compound nouns, only the last word is possessive in form. the Mississippi River’s banks my sister-in-law’s scrapbook the editor-in-chief’s opinions

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Joint possession When two or more nouns share possession, only the last noun is possessive in form. Brad, Suki, and Dawn’s band Three people have a band together.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Joint possession When one of the words showing joint possession is a pronoun, both words should be in the possessive form. His and Jared’s paper Two boys are working on a paper together.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Two or more persons possessing something individually When two or more persons each possess something, each of their names should be in the possessive form. Tim’s and Jake’s skateboards Each boy has his own skateboard. The noun skateboards is plural.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives With words showing joint or individual possession, be sure to check your apostrophes when you change a noun to a pronoun. Ty and Yoko’s piano Two people own one piano together. Ty’s and her piano Mark’s and Kim’s pianos Two people each own pianos. Mark’s and her pianos

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Times and amounts Use apostrophes for the possessive forms of words indicating time, such as minute, hour, day, week, month, and year a day’s rest thirty minutes’ work words indicating amounts in cents or dollars one dollar’s worth two cents’ worth

Possessive case Special problems with possessives On Your Own For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or word group in parentheses. 1. In history class we read about __________________ expedition. (Lewis and Clark) 2. Mandy saved two _________________ pay to buy the sweater. (weeks) 3. Have you seen the ________________________ new exhibit? (Natural History Museum) 4. Were ________________ grades good? (Rob and Katie) [End of Section]

Contractions An apostrophe shows where letters, words, or numerals have been omitted from a contraction. have not haven’t they had they’d you will you’ll of the clock o’clock 1950 ’50

Contractions Usually, when the word not is shortened to n’t and added to a verb, the spelling of the verb doesn’t change. should not shouldn’t does not doesn’t The two exceptions to this rule are will not won’t cannot can’t [End of Section]

Plurals In most cases, do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. state states glass glasses To prevent confusion, a few kinds of nouns do form plurals by adding an apostrophe and an s. lowercase letters m’s and n’s i’s some capital letters A’s U’s S’s

He uses too many but’s and and’s. Plurals Also use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of symbols %’s $’s &’s numerals 5’s 6’s 7’s some words that are referred to as words He uses too many but’s and and’s.

Contractions and plurals On Your Own Add apostrophes where needed in the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write C. 1. My little sister doesnt write her bs or ds clearly. 2. How many double ss are in Mississippi? 3. It’s almost time to go see the dentist. 4. Lets see whats going on. Ill add the &s and *s to the report later. [End of Section]

Review A In the following sentences, circle any words that need apostrophes or have incorrect apostrophes. 1. The childrens’ tickets didnt cost as much as the adults tickets. 2. Is that someones journal lying there? 3. We’re leaving for Pauls party at nine o clock. 4. Wev’e found youre no help at all. 5. Your handwritten ws look like vs. [End of Section]

Review B Correct the errors in possessive forms, contractions, and plurals in the following sentences. Ben and Terrells bikes are both ten-speeds. This will be Jeffs first time babysitting the Rosses children. We did not get a moments rest. Dont forget to dot your is and cross your ts. The usher gathered everybodys tickets. Ive left my jacket in the car; may I borrow yours? [End of Section]

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