Using Apostrophes

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Using Apostrophes
Why are apostrophes important? Possessive
case Singular nouns and plural nouns Possessive
personal pronouns Indefinite pronouns Special
problems with possessives Contractions Plurals Rev
iew A Review B
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Why are apostrophes important?
The apostrophe can serve several different
purposes.
Mainly, the apostrophe is used to show ownership,
or possession.
Here is Justins baseball cap.
Is this the cats collar?
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Why are apostrophes important?
The apostrophe can also show where something is
missing in a contraction.
they will
theyll
he has
hes
Sometimes, in special cases, the apostrophe is
used to form plurals.
Dot your is and cross your ts.
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Why are apostrophes important?
A missing apostrophe can cause confusion.
There are two as in this word.
There are two as in this word.
An unnecessary apostrophe is also confusing.
Do you know its price?
Do you know its price?
Knowing where to place an apostropheand whywill
help make your writing clearer.
End of Section
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Possessive caseSingular nouns and plural nouns
Singular nouns
Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive
case of most singular nouns.
the coachs plan
Rosss room
a birds nest
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Possessive caseSingular 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 Jills computer to write my history
report.
Jill owns the computer.
I own the report.
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Possessive caseSingular 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

Achilles battles
for goodness sake
Otherwise, add an apostrophe and an s.
the witnesss testimony
Ms. Schwartzs car
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Possessive caseSingular nouns and plural nouns
Plural nouns
If a plural noun ends in s, just add an
apostrophe.
the girls uniforms
the Jacksons yard
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Possessive caseSingular nouns and plural nouns
Plural nouns
Some irregular plural nouns do not end in s. Add
an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive
case.
Plural Possessive
Plural
Singular
men
mens
man
geeses
geese
goose
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Possessive casePossessive personal pronouns
A possessive personal pronoun never has an
apostropheeven 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.
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Possessive casePossessive 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.
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Possessive casePossessive 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.
Theyre late again.
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Possessive casePossessive personal pronouns
These possessive pronouns and contractions are
often confused because they sound alike.
Grammar Guy Says...
Possessive Pronouns Contractions
Whose lunch is this? Whos at the door?
Look at its fur. Its shedding.
The trophy is theirs. Theres a trophy.
Theyre good pies. Their pies are good.
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Possessive caseIndefinite pronouns
In the possessive case, indefinite pronouns need
an apostrophe and an s.
Everybodys hopes were high.
One player got in the others way.
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Possessive caseIndefinite 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
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Possessive caseIndefinite 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
Everythings wrong.
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Possessive caseIndefinite 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...
Someones at the door.
Someone is at the door.
In this sentence, Someones is a contraction, not
the possessive case.
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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.
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Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these
sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
1. We all appreciated the gardens beauty.
The possessive case of the singular noun garden
is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.
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Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these
sentences. Add apostrophes where needed. f
2. The womens team may win a championship.
The possessive case of the irregular plural noun
women is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.
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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.
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Possessive case
Identify the possessive words in these
sentences. Add apostrophes where needed.
4. The speaker had everyones attention.
The possessive case of the indefinite pronoun
everyone is formed by adding an apostrophe and
an s.
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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)
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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)
childrens
yours
anyones
Mrs. Katzs
its
towns
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Possessive caseSpecial problems with possessives
Compound nouns
In compound nouns, only the last word is
possessive in form.
the Mississippi Rivers banks
my sister-in-laws scrapbook
the editor-in-chiefs opinions
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Possessive caseSpecial 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

bookcase
stairway

• written as separate words

ceiling fan
United States

• hyphenated

merry-go-round
vice-president
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Possessive caseSpecial problems with possessives
The names of organizations and businesses may be
compound nouns too.
Grammar Guy Says...
National Public Radios new schedule
the Girl Scout Councils annual conference
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Possessive caseSpecial problems with possessives
Joint possession
When two or more nouns share possession, only the
last noun is possessive in form.
Brad, Suki, and Dawns band
Three people have a band together.
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Possessive caseSpecial 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 Jareds paper
Two boys are working on a paper together.
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Possessive caseSpecial 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.
Tims and Jakes skateboards
Each boy has his own skateboard. The noun
skateboards is plural.
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Possessive caseSpecial 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 Yokos piano
Two people own one piano together.
Tys and her piano
Marks and Kims pianos
Two people each own pianos.
Marks and her pianos
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Possessive caseSpecial 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

thirty minutes work
a days rest

• words indicating amounts in cents or dollars

two cents worth
one dollars worth
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Possessive caseSpecial 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-laws,
brothers-in-laws) law firm this summer.
3. Has (Helen and Ginas, Helens and Ginas)
song been entered in the contest?
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Possessive caseSpecial 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.
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Possessive caseSpecial problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
2. Will plans to work at his (brother-in-laws,
brothers-in-laws) law firm this summer.
In compound nouns only the last word is
possessive in form.
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Possessive caseSpecial problems with possessives
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
3. Has (Helen and Ginas, Helens and Ginas)
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.
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Possessive caseSpecial 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
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Possessive caseSpecial 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 Clarks
weeks
Natural History Museums
Robs and Katies
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Contractions
An apostrophe shows where letters, words, or
numerals have been omitted from a contraction.
have not
havent
they had
theyd
you will
youll
oclock
of the clock
1950
50
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Contractions
Usually, when the word not is shortened to nt
and added to a verb, the spelling of the verb
doesnt change.
should not
shouldnt
does not
doesnt
The two exceptions to this rule are
will not
wont
cannot
cant
End of Section
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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

ms and ns
is

• some capital letters

As
Us
Ss
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Plurals
Also use an apostrophe and an s to form the
plural of

• symbols

s
s
s

• numerals

5s
6s
7s

• some words that are referred to as words

He uses too many buts and ands.
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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 Ts looked like Is.
Without the apostrophe the plural of I would
spell Is. The apostrophe in the plural of T is
included for consistency.
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Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
1. I (cant, cant) tell the difference between
your (is, is) and your (ts, ts).
2. Put (s, s) after all the figures.
3. (Hes, Hes) gotten mostly (As, As) this year.
4. How many (ums, ums) did you hear?
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Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
1. I (cant, cant) tell the difference between
your (is, is) and your (ts, ts).
Cant 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.
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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.
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Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
3. (Hes, Hes) gotten mostly (As, As) this year.
Hes 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.
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Contractions and plurals
Choose the correct form of the word or words in
parentheses.
4. How many (ums, ums) did you hear?
Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of
a word referred to as a word.
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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. Its 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
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Contractions and plurals
Answers

• 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. Its almost time to go see the dentist.
• 4. Lets see whats going on.
• Ill add the s and s to the report later.

C
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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. Were leaving for Pauls party at
nine o clock. 4. Weve found youre no help at
all. 5. Your handwritten ws look like vs.
End of Section
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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. Were leaving for Pauls party at
nine o clock. 4. Weve found youre no help at
all. 5. Your handwritten ws look like vs.
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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
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Review B
Correct the errors in possessive forms,
contractions, and plurals in the following
sentences.

1. Bens and Terrells bikes are both ten-speeds.

2. This will be Jeffs first time babysitting the
Rosses children.
3. We did not get a moments rest.
4. Dont forget to dot your is and cross your
ts.
5. The usher gathered everybodys tickets.
6. Ive left my jacket in the car may I borrow
yours?
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The End