1. Rules for Apostrophes (Possessive)

2. Possession: The Simple Facts The tool kit couldn’t be simpler. All you need to make almost any word possessive is an apostrophe and the letter s. You add both of them together (‘s) or just the apostrophe alone, depending on the circumstances.

3. Exceptions to the rules  Jesus’ parables  Moses’ tablets  Achilles’ heel

4. Joint Ownership  These are Lenny and Harold’s props. (The props belong to both Lenny and Harold.)  These are Lenny’s and Harold’s props. (Both Lenny and Harold have their own props.) Lenny and Harold hands are freezing! Adam and Debbie marriage is super. Tony and Tina teeth are yellow.

5. Possession: The Simple Facts 1. If the word is singular, always add ‘s.  The waiter spilled red wine on Demi’s dress, which came from Kansas’s finest shop.  The dress’s skirt, which resembled a tutu from one of Degas’s paintings, was ruined.  Bruce’s attitude was philosophical because he had been reading Camus’s essays.

6. Possession: The Simple Facts 2. If the word is plural and doesn’t already end in s, add ‘s:  The children’s menu was a rip-off, and the men’s room was painted fuchsia.

7. Possession: The Simple Facts 3. If the word is plural and ends in s, add just the apostrophe:  The Willises’ car was stolen by the valet parking attendant.  The cops’ attitude was cruel.  The victims’ evening was now demolished.

8. Type of wordExample ending in an “s” Example not ending in an “s” Singular dressDemi Plural copschildren

9. This is CONFUSING!!  Mr. and Mrs. Jones have a new car.  The Joneses have a new car.  Mr. Jones’s car is new.  The Joneses’ car is new. One personMore than one person Plural Possessive

10. Possession: The Simple Facts 4. The comma or period goes after the apostrophe:  The idea was the girls’, or maybe the boys’, but at any rate the responsibility was their parents’.

11. Possession: The Simple Facts 5. If the name ends in s adds es’  Willis  Willises’ 6. For a name that doesn’t end is an s, add s’  Babbit  Babbits’

12. Apostrophe: The Simple Facts 7. Add ‘s to make plurals of numbers and letters, including abbreviations:  Libby, the daughter of two CPA’s, was born in the 1940’s, and earned all B’s at Swarthmore.

13. Practice  This hollow tree is an owl home.  Preserving history is Prince Charles personal crusade.  All of the boxes contents are leaking out.  The actors rights were spelled out in their contracts.  Has everyone test been graded?