1. Apostrophes!

2. Apostrophe 411 Used to show possession Contractions Plurals
**Some of their uses are contradictory—that’s why they can be confusing!**

3. Showing Singular Possession
Add ‘s to make most single nouns possessive
A day’s pay, Harry’s vomit
Add only ‘ OR ‘s to words that already end in s if pronunciation would be difficult with ‘s
Socrates’ philosophy
Massachusetts’ law

4. Showing Plural Possession
Add only ‘ to show possession for plural nouns ending in s
The instructors’ salaries, Three weeks’ pay
Add ‘s for words that don’t use “s” to form plurals
The children’s boots, Two men’s rooms

5. Showing Joint Possession
Indicates that two or more people share something
The apostrophe should be added to the last item in the series
Bob and Carol’s house
Exception: Add the apostrophe to both items to show individual possession
Ex: Ted’s and Alice’s cars

6. Rules for Compound Nouns
There are some hyphenated nouns
Add ‘s to the end of the word
Brother-in-law’s boat

7. Forming Contractions Didn’t, it’s, she’s
Apostrophes are used to show where letters or numbers are left out
Didn’t, it’s, she’s

8. Forming Plurals
Add ‘s to form the plurals of numbers, letters, symbols and abbreviations
A sale on VCR’s, I got 2 A’s

9. Trouble Spots Don’t use apostrophes to form the plural of names
Bad: Come to the party with the Jackson’s
Good: Come to the party with the Smiths
Don’t use apostrophes to make nouns plural
Bad: Customer’s will be served
Good: Customers will be served

10. One Last Thing… Remember that it’s means IT IS
This word is NOT possessive!
Go get its leash
It’s about time this presentation ended

11. Warm-Up: 9/27/10 *Find the error in apostrophes in each sentence and correct it. WRITE OUT THE SENTENCE
Their still in the gym going over an acrobatics routine.
Please don’t forget my sister-in-laws shoes.
The oldest castle dates back 30 century’s ago.
The leopard cannot change it’s spots.
The word tomorrow has two rs in it.

12. Warm-up: *Add apostrophes to the following sentences*
Her boyfriends brother drives that Ford F250
We could hear the childrens voices in the hallway.
The students supplies have arrived from Texas. (plural)
The teachers presentation was really good. (singular)
The DVDs batteries need to be replaced.

13. Warm-up: The three princesses crowns are shiny.
Somebodys child will be upset that swimming is canceled.
Mrs. Jones daughter is coming over today.
The deers food is being eaten by mice. (plural)
It was Illinois law that caught the serial killer.