1. Apostrophes
English 3

2. Apostrophes: Three Uses
To form possessives of nouns**
To make contractions
To indicate plurals of numbers and lowercase letters
**Most difficult rule.

3. To form possessives of nouns
When a noun does not end in s, use apostrophe + s.
The lollipop belonging to Elena = Elena’s lollipop.
The teachers of the school = the school’s teachers
The dictionary owned by the grammar whiz = the grammar whiz’s dictionary

4. To form possessives of nouns
When the noun is plural and ends with s, just add an apostrophe.
The leashes for the dogs = the dogs’ leashes
The grades of the students = the students’ grades
The wages earned by the workers = the workers’ wages

5. To form possessives of nouns
When a noun is singular and ends in s, most sources recommend adding both the apostrophe and an additional s.
The bad luck that plagues Odysseus = Odysseus’s bad luck
The strong tentacles of the octopus = the octopus’s strong tentacles
The directive given by the boss = the boss’s directive
**This adds another syllable to pronunciation.

6. To form possessives of nouns
add apostrophe + s to the end of compound words:
my brother-in-law's money

7. Who owns the object in the following examples?
According to almost all countries’ laws, human rights abuses are illegal.
Mitchell’s mother made him clean his room.
The two police officers’ car was stolen while they were on patrol.
Canada and Mexico’s communication was not very active.
The five moose’s herd had moved on without them.

8. Making Contractions Cannot = can’t He will = he’ll
Should have = should’ve
You are = you’re
It is = It’s

9. Numbers and Lowercase Letters
1960 = ’60
1960s = no apostrophe
Grandma prefers to sign birthday cards with x’s and o’s.
Kevin earned three A’s this semester.