Apostrophe

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Apostrophe
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With Nouns to Show Possession

• Possessive form of a singular noun is usually
  formed by adding s
• Don Dons dog
• Girl girls book

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If the plural noun ends in s, add only the
apostrophe to make it plural. Possessive of
plural nouns add s if the plural noun does not
end in s.

• Birds birds cages
• Women womens hats
• Salesmen salesmens orders
• Books books covers

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• Do not use the apostrophe to form simple plurals
  that are not possessive.
• INCORRECT Four students went to the game.

This word is not possessive. No apostrophe!
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Apostrophe Misuse!
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• Do not use the apostrophe to form the present
  tense of verbs.
• INCORRECT She runs every afternoon.

Present tense of verb. No apostrophe!
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She eats too fast!
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The Possessive of Compound Nouns

• A compound noun is a noun made of more than one
  word.
• Some compound nouns are joined by hyphens.
• Only the last part of a hyphenated noun shows
  possession.
• Jack-o-lantern s jack-o-lanterns
• Mother-in-law s mother-in-laws

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Joint Ownership

• When the mane of two or more persons are used to
  show joint ownership, only the name of the last
  person is given possessive form.
• Ed and Joannes home
• Bob and Gregorys project

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Separate Ownership

• If the names of two or more persons are used to
  show separate ownership, each name is given
  possessive form.
• Jacobs and Matts marks have improved.
• Mandys and Joes teeth need braces.

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The Possessive of Indefinite Pronouns

• Use an apostrophe and s to form the possessive of
  indefinite pronouns.
• Everyone s everyones
• Somebody s somebodys

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• Do not use the apostrophe to form the
• possessive of personal pronouns
• INCORRECT yours theirs, hers, its
• CORRECT yours, hers, theirs, its

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• Its has only one meaning in English
• The contraction for it is
• Its is never possessive!

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INCORRECT!
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INCORRECT!
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When used as adjectives, words expressing time
and amount are given possessive form
Expressions of Time and Amount

• An hours pay
• Three weeks wait
• Two months work

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The apostrophe shows the omission of some letters
or figures
Omission of Letters or Figures

• Class of 93 (1993)
• Couldnt (could not)
• Were ( we are)
• Its ( it is)

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Apostrophe also shows the plurals of letters,
numbers, and signs, if the plural is otherwise
confusing. In print such expressions are
italicized.
Plurals of Letters, Numbers, Signs

• How many ss are in your name? Ss? Fs?
• He used too many ifs in his talk.
• You dont have enough 7s in this column.

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