1. Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
What is an apostrophe?

2. An apostrophe has two jobs. It shows where letters are missing.
Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
An apostrophe has two jobs. It shows where letters are missing.
I’m a funny guy.
= I am a funny guy.
Apostrophes also show ownership.
Jacob’s hat is too small.
Jacob owns the hat.

3. Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
Words with missing letters are called contractions. They are mainly used in informal writing and when writing dialogue. What do these ones mean?
I’ve
I have
shouldn’t
should not
don’t
do not
he’ll
he will or he shall
it’s
it is
they’d
they had or they would
isn’t
is not
we’ve
we have
An apostrophe can also show that numbers are missing.
that’s
that is
who’s
who is
won’t
will not
’90s
1990s

4. the children’s dancing the girls’ dancing
Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
To show ownership with an apostrophe, place the apostrophe after the last letter of the owner. To make a singular noun show ownership, add an apostrophe and s.
Michele’s crazy dance.
To make a plural noun show ownership, also add an apostrophe and s. But if the plural already ends in s, just add an apostrophe.
the children’s dancing the girls’ dancing

5. Make the coloured words in these sentences show ownership.
Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
Make the coloured words in these sentences show ownership.
Getting out of bed is Alicia’s problem.
The room was scattered with babies’ toys.
I’ll sit on the driver’s side.
The women’s speeches were the best.
Both drivers’ cars were damaged. ’s ’ ’s ’s ’

6. Apostrophes can be tricky. Remember these rules:
Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
Apostrophes can be tricky. Remember these rules:
Possessive pronouns don’t need an apostrophe.
his hers its ours yours theirs
it’s does not show ownership. It’s means it is.
If two people own something together, only the second person gets an apostrophe.
I love Mitchell and Maya’s new house.

7. Punctuation helps others to understand our writing.
Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
Punctuation helps others to understand our writing.
An apostrophe (’) shows ownership or that letters are missing from a word (contraction).
The words with apostrophes in this sentence are red: I can’t believe your brother’s attitude.

8. Grammar Toolkit
Apostrophe
The End