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
The possessive case of a noun or pronoun is the form of the word that shows ownership or possession.
I used Jill’s computer to write my history report.
Jill owns the computer.
I own the report.

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns
Be careful not to confuse possessive pronouns with contractions. Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes.
Grammar Guy Says...
Possessive pronoun
Contraction of “they are”
Their father is here.
They’re late again.

13. Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns
These possessive pronouns and contractions are often confused because they sound alike.
Grammar Guy Says...
Possessive Pronouns
Contractions
Whose lunch is this?
Who’s at the door?
Look at its fur.
It’s shedding.
The trophy is theirs.
There’s a trophy.
They’re good pies.
Their pies are good.

14. 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.

15. Possessive case Indefinite pronouns
An indefinite pronoun refers to one or more persons, places, or things that may or may not be specifically named.
all
each
most
one
another
either
much
other
any
everyone
neither
several
anybody
everything
nobody
some
anyone
few
none
somebody
anything
many
no one
something
both
more
nothing
such

16. Possessive case Indefinite pronouns
In casual speech, contractions formed using indefinite pronouns and is are very common. These contractions look and sound exactly like the possessive case.
Grammar Guy Says...
Contraction of “everything is”
Everything’s wrong.

17. Possessive case Indefinite pronouns
To determine whether the word is a contraction or the possessive case, try saying is instead of ‘s. If is makes sense, the word is a contraction.
Grammar Guy Says...
Someone’s at the door.
Someone is at the door.
In this sentence, Someone’s is a contraction, not the possessive case.

18. Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
1. We all appreciated the gardens beauty.
2. The womens team may win a championship.
3. The twins father was washing his car.
4. The speaker had everyones attention.

19. Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
1. We all appreciated the garden’s beauty.
The possessive case of the singular noun garden is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.

20. Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these sentences. Add apostrophes where needed. f
2. The women’s team may win a championship.
The possessive case of the irregular plural noun women is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.

21. Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
3. The twins’ father was washing his car.
The possessive case of the plural noun twins is formed by adding an apostrophe after the s.
The possessive case of a personal pronoun, such as his, is formed without apostrophes.

22. Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
4. The speaker had everyone’s attention.
The possessive case of the indefinite pronoun everyone is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.

23. 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)

24. Possessive case Answers
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)
children’s
yours
anyone’s
Mrs. Katz’s
town’s
its

25. 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

26. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
A compound noun consists of two or more words that are used together as one noun. A compound noun may be
written as one word
stairway
bookcase
written as separate words
ceiling fan
United States
hyphenated
merry-go-round
vice-president

27. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
The names of organizations and businesses may be compound nouns too.
Grammar Guy Says...
National Public Radio’s new schedule
the Girl Scout Council’s annual conference

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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

32. 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

33. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
1. I bought fifty (dollars, dollars’) worth of books.
2. Will plans to work at his (brother-in-law’s, brother’s-in-law’s) law firm this summer.
3. Has (Helen and Gina’s, Helen’s and Gina’s) song been entered in the contest?

34. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
1. I bought fifty (dollars, dollars’) worth of books.
Use an apostrophe to form the possessives of words indicating amounts in dollars and cents.

35. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
2. Will plans to work at his (brother-in-law’s, brother’s-in-law’s) law firm this summer.
In compound nouns only the last word is possessive in form.

36. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
3. Has (Helen and Gina’s, Helen’s and Gina’s) song been entered in the contest?
When two or more persons possess one thing together (the song), only the last noun should be in the possessive case.

37. 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]

38. Possessive case Special problems with possessives
Answers
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)
Lewis and Clark’s
weeks’
Natural History Museum’s
Rob’s and Katie’s

39. 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

40. 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]

41. 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

42. 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.

43. Grammar Guy Says... Plurals
Some writers add only an s to form the plurals of letters, numerals, and symbols if the plural forms cannot be misread.
Grammar Guy Says...
Most of his grades were Cs.
Use apostrophes consistently.
The printed T’s looked like I’s.
Without the apostrophe the plural of I would spell Is. The apostrophe in the plural of T is included for consistency.

44. Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
1. I (cant, can’t) tell the difference between your (i’s, is) and your (t’s, ts’).
2. Put ($’s, $s’) after all the figures.
3. (He’s, Hes) gotten mostly (As, A’s) this year.
4. How many (ums, um’s) did you hear?

45. Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
1. I (cant, can’t) tell the difference between your (i’s, is) and your (t’s, ts’).
Can’t is the contraction for “cannot.” The apostrophe shows where the letters n and o have been omitted.
Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of a lowercase letter.

46. Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
2. Put ($’s, $s’) after all the figures.
Form the plural of a symbol by adding an apostrophe and an s.

47. Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
3. (He’s, Hes) gotten mostly (As, A’s) this year.
He’s is the contraction for “he is.” The apostrophe shows where the letter i has been omitted.
Use an apostrophe for the possessive form of the capital letter A so that it will not be confused with the word As.

48. Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in parentheses.
4. How many (ums, um’s) did you hear?
Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of a word referred to as a word.

49. 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]

50. Contractions and plurals
Answers
Add apostrophes where needed in the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write C.
1. My little sister doesn’t write her b’s or d’s clearly.
2. How many double s’s are in Mississippi?
3. It’s almost time to go see the dentist.
4. Let’s see what’s going on.
I’ll add the &’s and *’s to the report later. C

51. 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]

52. 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.

53. 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]

54. Review B
Correct the errors in possessive forms, contractions, and plurals in the following sentences.
Ben’s and Terrell’s bikes are both ten-speeds.
2. This will be Jeff’s first time babysitting the Rosses’ children.
3. We did not get a moment’s rest.
4. Don’t forget to dot your i’s and cross your t’s.
5. The usher gathered everybody’s tickets.
6. I’ve left my jacket in the car; may I borrow yours?

55. The End