1. Apostrophes for Possession
Facing your Fears

2. Do you know the difference between plural - s and possessive - ‘s?
spiders
spider’s web

3. Plural - s A noun names a person, place, idea, thing or feeling. Ella
dog
school
fear
Both Ellas in our class are frightened of dogs.
The dogs had terrifying barks.
Several schools closed after spider infestations.
My fears are all to do with spiders!
If there is more than one of the noun we say it is plural.
We show a noun is plural by adding an s.

4. Possessive – ‘s To show possession we add ‘s to the end of the noun.
Ella
dog
school
spider
Ella’s bag has been eaten by the dog.
The dog’s bark is loud.
The school’s caretaker looked for the spiders.
The spider’s fangs were huge.
Ella owns a bag.
Possession means that something is owned by the noun.
The ‘s goes at the end of the noun.

5. Plural -s and possessive - ‘s
Six spiders scuttled across the playground.
Six spider’s scuttled across the playground.
Plural
- add s
The spiders fangs were terrifying.
The spider’s fangs were terrifying.
Possessive
- add ‘s 
Which sentence is correct?

6. Apostrophes Marking Plural Possession

7. Possessive - s To show possession we add ‘s to the end of the noun.
girl
dog
spider
caretaker
the girl’s bag
the dog’s bark
the spider’s fangs
the caretaker’s broom
The ‘s goes at the end of the noun.
But what happens if the noun already ends in s?

8. Plural Possessive - s
If the noun already ends in s because it is plural…
add ’ to the end of that noun.
girls
dogs
spiders
caretakers
the girls’ changing room
the dogs’ ball
the spiders’ webs
the caretakers’ meeting
The ’ goes at the end of the noun.
If we added another s to a plural noun it would be hard to say!

9. Plural Possessive - s The scouts’ hut shook when the wind blew.
ANSWERS
Plural Possessive - s
The scouts’ hut shook when the wind blew.
The scout’s hut shook when the wind blew.
The hut which belonged to one scout shook when the wind blew.
The hut which belonged to all of the scouts shook when the wind blew.
The cat lurked under the bird’s table.
The cat lurked under the birds’ table.
The table which belonged to one bird had a cat lurking underneath.
The table which belonged to the garden birds had a cat lurking underneath.
Match the punctuation to the description.

10. Possessive Determiners
Apostrophes are never used for possessive determiners
…even if they end in s.
The small boy dropped his ice-cream in fright.
The dog bashed its tail against my legs.
Her bag is ripped.
His broom was nowhere to be seen.
Possessive pronouns and determiners.
If they stand on their own to preplace a noun, they are possessive pronouns. E.g. The book was his. (his replaces ‘Tom’s.)
If they precede a noun, e.g. his book, then, strictly, these are possessive determiners as they behave like adjectives.
It is NOT necessary to make this distinction with children in Y5 or Y6.
They already show ownership no apostrophe is needed.

11. Otis’ was petrified of wasps.
Using the apostrophe
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
ANSWER
Otis’ was petrified of wasps.
The boys’ didn’t like swimming in deep water.
The foxs bark was terrifying.
Lottie’s little brother was frightened of loud noises.

12. Alexis’ is nervous around dogs.
Using the apostrophe
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
ANSWER
Alexis’ is nervous around dogs.
The many spiders’ webs glistened in the light.
Some dogs’ have tails that wag furiously.
Katies’ bag had been torn to shreds.

13. The kings’ men. The king’s men. The kings men.
After the Fall apostrophe challenges
Who put Humpty together again?
The kings’ men.
The king’s men.
The kings men.
ANSWER

14. Being close to the birds’.
After the Fall apostrophe challenges
What did Humpty miss about being at the top of the wall?
Being close to the birds’.
Being close to the bird’s.
Being close to the birds.
ANSWER

15. Humpty’s persistence and determination.
After the Fall apostrophe challenges
What ensured the plane became a reality?
Humpty’s persistence and determination.
Humptys persistence and determination.
Humptys’ persistence and determination.
ANSWER

16. The birds songs. The birds’ songs. The bird’s songs.
After the Fall apostrophe challenges
What do you think Humpty might hear when he gets to the top of the ladder?
The birds songs.
The birds’ songs.
Cheep!
The bird’s songs.
Chirup!
Tweet!
ANSWER