1. Apostrophes
© 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

2. What are Apostrophes? Apostrophes: Show ownership
Hayden’s dog, Lisa’s purse
Show that a letter (or letters) have been left out of two words that have been joined
I + am = I’m; that + is = that’s, etc.
Make letters and numbers plural
The size 10’s are all gone.
Form possessives of time nouns
This year’s TV shows are worse than ever.
© 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

3. What are Apostrophes? (continued 1)
Add –’s to a singular noun to show ownership, even if the noun already ends in –s:
Bill’s house
Chris’s car
If a noun is plural and ends in –s, add an apostrophe to show ownership:
The girls’ shoes (more than one girl)
If it is plural but does not end in –s, add –’s:
The children’s clothes
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4. What are Apostrophes?(continued 2)
Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun.
INCORRECT: The player’s huddled.
CORRECT: The players huddled.
Do not use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun (like your, yours, ours).
INCORRECT: I like your yard better than our’s.
CORRECT: I like your yard better than ours.
What are Apostrophes?(continued 2)
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5. What are Apostrophes? (continued 3)
When writing a contraction, put an apostrophe where the letters have been left out, not between two words:
INCORRECT: does’nt
CORRECT: doesn’t
What are Apostrophes? (continued 3)
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6. Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed:
I dont know whether he wears size 10s or size 12s.
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7. Answer: I don’t know whether he wears size 10’s or size 12’s.
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8. Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 1)
Whose getting the cake for Dads birthday?
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9. Answer: (continued 1) Who’s getting the cake for Dad’s birthday?
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10. Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 2)
Theres no way I can pay this months rent.
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11. Answer: (continued 2) There’s no way I can pay this month’s rent.
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12. Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 3)
Arent the boys Halloween costumes frightening?
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13. Answer: (continued 3) Aren’t the boys’ Halloween costumes frightening?
© 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s