1. Apostrophes
You Gotta Have ‘em!

2. What Does an Apostrophe Do?
An apostrophe has two functions:
An apostrophe is used to show possession or ownership
Susie’s book
John’s parents
An apostrophe is used to form contractions
Can’t
I’m

3. Forming Possessives of Nouns
Add an apostrophe and –s to show the possessive case of most singular nouns
The leaf of the shrub the shrub’s leaf
Notice that with a singular noun ending in –s, you may still use an apostrophe and –s to form the possessive
The check of the waitress the waitress’s check

4. Possessive Nouns, cnt.
Add an apostrophe to show the possessive case of plural nouns ending in –s or –es.
The t-shirts of the boys the boys’ t-shirts
The uniforms of the sailors the sailors’ uniforms

5. Possessive nouns, cnt.
Add an apostrophe and an –s to show the possessive case of plural nouns that do not end in –s or –es.
The suits of the men the men’s suits
The toys of the children the children’s toys

6. Compound Noun Possessives
Add an apostrophe and –s (or just an apostrophe if the word is a plural ending in –s) to the last word of a compound noun to form the possessive
Johnny and Susie’s parents
The Chief Justice’s decision

7. Joint and Individual Ownership
Sometimes people share ownership and sometimes several people claim individual ownership
To show joint ownership, make the final noun possessive. To show individual ownership, make each noun possessive
Will and Martin’s dog
Susan’s, Marie’s, and Alice’s papers

8. Forming Possessives of pronouns
Do not use an apostrophe with the possessive forms of personal pronouns. The possessive forms of personal pronouns (his, hers, its, our, yours, theirs, and so on) already show possession. Thus, they do not need apostrophes.
His old car
That house of ours

9. Forming Contractions
A contraction is formed by removing a letter or letters from an expression and replacing the missing letter(s) with an apostrophe.
Cannot can’t were not weren’t
Should not shouldn’t will not won’t
She will she’ll we will we’ll
He would he’d they would they’d
They have they’ve you are you’re
I am I’m Michael is Michael’s

10. Contractions and Formal Writing
Contractions should be used sparingly in formal writing. Reserve them to add flavor to dialogue. In other cases, write out the words.
Don’t Be Lazy!

11. Try this exercise!