Apostrophes NINTH GRADE ENGLISH

Apostrophes--Singular Nouns To form the possessive of most SINGULAR nouns, add –’s Examples: A desk that belongs to the mayor--- Mayor’s desk A job that belongs to Mrs. Ross Mrs. Ross’s job The worth of the dollar Dollar’s worth Apostrophes--Singular Nouns

Apostrophes—Plural Nouns To form the possessive of most PLURAL nouns that end in –s, add only an apostrophe Examples: Feathers that belong to the birds Birds’ feathers A vacation that belongs to three cousins Three cousins’ vacation Apostrophes—Plural Nouns

Apostrophes—Plural Nouns To form the possessive of a PLURAL noun that does NOT end in –s, add –’s Examples: The shoes that belong to the children Children’s shoes Food that belongs to the deer Deer’s food Apostrophes—Plural Nouns

Apostrophes— Possessive Pronouns Possessive pronouns DO NOT require apostrophes Examples: That watch is yours. This plant is ours. Lee has a sweater of hers. Hers was a wonderful idea. Apostrophes— Possessive Pronouns

Apostrophes—Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns in the possessive case require an –’s Examples: Wishes that belong to nobody Nobody’s wishes A viewpoint belonging to another Another’s viewpoint Apostrophes—Indefinite Pronouns

Apostrophes--Compounds Compound words, organizations, and businesses show possession with –’s on the last word only Examples: Community board’s meeting Vice-president’s contract Brother-in-law’s gift Museum of Art’s budget Berkeley Milk Company’s trucks Apostrophes--Compounds

Apostrophes—Joint Ownership Joint Ownership---when two people own something together (SHARING)---show possession with an –’s after the last person’s name only Examples: Peggy and Lisa’s tent Kim and Alesia’s gift Apostrophes—Joint Ownership

Apostrophes— Individual Ownership Individual Ownership---when two people own things individually NOT together, then both people’s names should have –’s added to them Examples: Peggy’s and Lisa’s tents Kim’s and Alesia’s gifts Apostrophes— Individual Ownership