Apostrophes “What you need to know”

What is an apostrophe? It looks like a comma – ‘ – but we place it above the line of writing. It takes up the space of a letter. It is used for various reasons.

Why do we use them? To show who owns what (possession) This is Jane’s cat. To fill in for missing letters (contractions) She’s gone to the cinema with her friends.

Contractions When two words are joined together in a shorter form. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter(s). I am (I’m) They are (They’re) Do not (don’t)

Be careful! Don’t confuse its and it’s Whose and who’s its (possessive – its edges were sharp) it’s (it is, it has) Whose and who’s Whose book is this? Who’s coming to dinner.

Possessive Apostrophes What is it? A possessive apostrophe is an apostrophe that shows who or what has or owns something. , You must use an apostrophe to show possession. Possessive Apostrophes For example: My brother’s shirt is red

But where should the apostrophe go? The apostrophe is placed after the name of the owner… for example: my sister’s cat is fat! Click to find out where the apostrophe should be placed in the sentences below. ‘’ My mums cooking is amazing! “Is this Jessica s coat?” the teacher asked the class. England s weather is usually cold and wet! My sister s bedroom is a huge mess! Andrew said that his dad s car is faster than my dad s car. One of the Queen s homes is called Buckingham Palace. ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’

Write some possessive nouns of your own! Click to see the correct possessive noun in each sentence. Mr. Usher’s ______________ class is learning about apostrophes. (The class belonging to Mr. Usher) I found ___________ pencil on the floor last night! (pencil belonging to Robert) _______________ ruler measures 12 inches long. (Ruler belonging to Courtney) I found ________________ dog running around in the street today. (dog belonging to Miss Smith) “I am going to ______________ house tonight!” yelled Mark. (house belonging to Kessler) Robert’s Courtney’s Miss Smith’s Kessler’s

’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ The boys shoes The boy s shoes The Doctor s surgery If a noun is plural – that means there is more than one – for example boys then the apostrophe goes on the outside of the s. ’ ’ The boys shoes The boy s shoes This means the shoes belong to one boy This means the shoes belonged to more than one boy. The Doctor s surgery ’ The Doctors surgery ’ This means the surgery belonged to one doctor This means the surgery belonged to more than one Doctor. ’ The teacher s lounge ’ The teachers lounge This means the lounge belonged to one teacher This means the lounge belonged to more than one teacher

Write these sentences and remember to put in the possessive apostrophes. ’ 1. The hairdressers salon. (There is more than one hairdresser) 2. The shopkeepers till. 3. Ipswich Town are Mr. Bensons favourite football team. 4. "Is that Johns bike you're riding?" asked Peter. 5. This is the farmers land. 6. "Where is the doctors surgery?" asked the sick man. (There is more than one doctor) 7. The Queens place is beautiful. 8. Johns new bike is really good. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’