1. Using Apostrophes Why are apostrophes important? Possessive case
Singular nouns and plural nouns
Possessive personal pronouns
Indefinite pronouns
Special problems with possessives
Contractions
Plurals
Review A
Review B

2. Why are apostrophes important?
The apostrophe can serve several different purposes.
Mainly, the apostrophe is used to show ownership, or possession.
Here is Justin’s baseball cap.
Is this the cat’s collar?

3. Why are apostrophes important?
The apostrophe can also show where something is missing in a contraction.
they will
they’ll
he has
he’s
Sometimes, in special cases, the apostrophe is used to form plurals.
Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

4. Why are apostrophes important?
A missing apostrophe can cause confusion.
There are two as in this word.
There are two a’s in this word.
An unnecessary apostrophe is also confusing.
Do you know it’s price?
Do you know its price?
Knowing where to place an apostrophe—and why—will help make your writing clearer.
[End of Section]

5. Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns
Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case of most singular nouns.
the coach’s plan
Ross’s room
a bird’s nest

6. Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns
For the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an s or z sound, add only the apostrophe if
the noun has two or more syllables and
adding an apostrophe and an s will make the word awkward to pronounce
for goodness’ sake
Achilles’ battles
Otherwise, add an apostrophe and an s.
Ms. Schwartz’s car
the witness’s testimony

7. Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns
If a plural noun ends in s, just add an apostrophe.
the girls’ uniforms
the Jacksons’ yard

8. Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns
Some irregular plural nouns do not end in s. Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case.
Singular
Plural
Plural Possessive
man
men
men’s
goose
geese
geese’s

9. Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns
A possessive personal pronoun never has an apostrophe—even when the pronoun ends in s.
I got a great price on mine.
Did you buy yours at the same place he bought his?
I like your new bike.

10. Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns
Most possessive personal pronouns have two forms.
Can you see their kite? Is that one theirs? my
mine
your
yours
his, her, its
his, hers, its
our
ours
their
theirs
These forms are used before nouns.
These forms stand alone.
Do not add an apostrophe to any of these pronouns.

11. Possessive case Indefinite pronouns
In the possessive case, indefinite pronouns need an apostrophe and an s.
Everybody’s hopes were high.
One player got in the other’s way.

12. Possessive case On Your Own
For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or words in parentheses.
1. The ___________ toys are all over the floor. (children)
2. Are those notebooks _________? (you)
3. He did not take _________ opinion seriously. (anyone)
4. _______________ tulips are blooming. (Mrs. Katz)
5. The _________ claim to fame is _________ candy factory. (town, it)

13. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Compound nouns
In compound nouns, only the last word is possessive in form.
the Mississippi River’s banks
my sister-in-law’s scrapbook
the editor-in-chief’s opinions

14. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Joint possession
When two or more nouns share possession, only the last noun is possessive in form.
Brad, Suki, and Dawn’s band
Three people have a band together.

15. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Joint possession
When one of the words showing joint possession is a pronoun, both words should be in the possessive form.
His and Jared’s paper
Two boys are working on a paper together.

16. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Two or more persons possessing something individually
When two or more persons each possess something, each of their names should be in the possessive form.
Tim’s and Jake’s skateboards
Each boy has his own skateboard. The noun skateboards is plural.

17. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
With words showing joint or individual possession, be sure to check your apostrophes when you change a noun to a pronoun.
Ty and Yoko’s piano
Two people own one piano together.
Ty’s and her piano
Mark’s and Kim’s pianos
Two people each own pianos.
Mark’s and her pianos

18. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Times and amounts
Use apostrophes for the possessive forms of
words indicating time, such as minute, hour, day, week, month, and year
a day’s rest
thirty minutes’ work
words indicating amounts in cents or dollars
one dollar’s worth
two cents’ worth

19. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
On Your Own
For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or word group in parentheses.
1. In history class we read about __________________ expedition. (Lewis and Clark)
2. Mandy saved two _________________ pay to buy the sweater. (weeks)
3. Have you seen the ________________________ new exhibit? (Natural History Museum)
4. Were ________________ grades good? (Rob and Katie)
[End of Section]

20. Contractions
An apostrophe shows where letters, words, or numerals have been omitted from a contraction.
have not
haven’t
they had
they’d
you will
you’ll
of the clock
o’clock
1950
’50

21. Contractions
Usually, when the word not is shortened to n’t and added to a verb, the spelling of the verb doesn’t change.
should not
shouldn’t
does not
doesn’t
The two exceptions to this rule are
will not
won’t
cannot
can’t
[End of Section]

22. Plurals
In most cases, do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun.
state
states
glass
glasses
To prevent confusion, a few kinds of nouns do form plurals by adding an apostrophe and an s.
lowercase letters
m’s and n’s
i’s
some capital letters
A’s
U’s
S’s

23. He uses too many but’s and and’s.
Plurals
Also use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of
symbols
%’s
$’s
&’s
numerals
5’s
6’s
7’s
some words that are referred to as words
He uses too many but’s and and’s.

24. Contractions and plurals
On Your Own
Add apostrophes where needed in the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write C.
1. My little sister doesnt write her bs or ds clearly.
2. How many double ss are in Mississippi?
3. It’s almost time to go see the dentist.
4. Lets see whats going on.
Ill add the &s and *s to the report later.
[End of Section]

25. Review A
In the following sentences, circle any words that need apostrophes or have incorrect apostrophes.
1. The childrens’ tickets didnt cost as much as the adults tickets.
2. Is that someones journal lying there?
3. We’re leaving for Pauls party at nine o clock.
4. Wev’e found youre no help at all.
5. Your handwritten ws look like vs.
[End of Section]

26. Review B
Correct the errors in possessive forms, contractions, and plurals in the following sentences.
Ben and Terrells bikes are both ten-speeds.
This will be Jeffs first time babysitting the Rosses children.
We did not get a moments rest.
Dont forget to dot your is and cross your ts.
The usher gathered everybodys tickets.
Ive left my jacket in the car; may I borrow yours?
[End of Section]

27. The End