© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form A John Langan Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E apostrophe.There are two different uses of the apostrophe. contractionUse the apostrophe with a contraction, a shortened form of a word. possessionUse the apostrophe to show ownership or possession. A cowboys outfit cant help but stand out in a crowd.A cowboys outfit cant help but stand out in a crowd. Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Contractions When two words are combined to make one word, an apostrophe is used to show where letters have been omitted. This is called a contraction. Contractions are reserved for informal occasions. I + have = Ive did + not = didnt let + us = lets

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Note: The word its has two meanings. Note: The word its has two meanings. It is OR It has It is OR It has It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.) It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.) Contractions

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing. INCORRECT:INCORRECT: dont –Cowboys dont ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. Correct:Correct: dont –Cowboys dont ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. o The apostrophe shows the o has been left out. Understanding Contractions

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Special Situation will + not = wont The combination will + not = wont This is an unusual contraction. will + not = wont The combination will + not = wont This is an unusual contraction. Many mothers wont let their sons become cowboys.

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Four Special Contractions theyre= they are its=it is or it has youre=you are whos=who is their=belonging to them its=belonging to it your=belonging to you whose=belonging to whom ContractionsPossessive Words Dont confuse certain tricky contractions with similar sounding possessive words!

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Singular Nouns Use the apostrophe and an - s to form the possessive case. –A cowboys work is never done. –Frederic Remingtons art reflected the spirit of the wild west.

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E orFor singular nouns ending in -s, it is acceptable to form the possessive by adding -s or by adding only an apostrophe. The writer must be consistent throughout a piece of writing. –Columbus horses, which he brought on his second voyage, were the first to arrive in the new world. Singular Nouns

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Plural Nouns Form the possessive of plural nouns by adding an apostrophe. –The wranglers gloves protected their hands from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold. Indicate the possessive of plural nouns not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe and an -s. –Mens clothing often indicates their profession.

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Do Not Use The Apostrophe Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives do not use apostrophes. –We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots. –The spurs are ours.

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Correct Apostrophe Practice Review

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations. Correct Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July. Incorrect: fathers Incorrect: fathers Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo. Incorrect: Mexicos Incorrect: Mexicos Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays. NOTE: Countries is the plural form of country. Our countrys most popular holiday is Christmas. Correct Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain. Incorrect: James Incorrect: James Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food. Incorrect: Germanys/ Italys Incorrect: Germanys/ Italys Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy. Correct Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E In the 70s people did not decorate their homes for holidays, such as Saint Patricks Day and Halloween, to the extent that they do today. Incorrect: 70s/Patricks Incorrect: 70s/Patricks Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).