Using Apostrophes

1
?
USING APOSTROPHES
CONTRACTIONS AND POSSESSIVES How to Hit the
Target Every Time!
2
Why Bother?
We awoke to the smell of grandmothers cooking.
We awoke to the smell of grandmothers cooking.
3
Using Apostrophes

• There are two uses for apostrophes.
• 1. To form contractions.
• do not dont
• 2. To show possession or ownership.
• Jeans essay was good.

4
1. Forming Contractions

• I am Im
• could not couldnt
• REMEMBER The apostrophe marks the location of
  the missing letter! Dont put it in the wrong
  place!
• couldnt couldnt

5
Contractions and Formal Writing
Do not use contractions in formal writing.
Always write the words out. Informal Experts
dont agree on why people cant seem to stick to
their diets. Formal Experts do not agree on
why people cannot seem to stick to their diets.
6
2a. Showing Possession

• Singular
• the hat belonging to the girl the girls hat
• the coat belonging to the boy the boys coat
• the title belonging to the book the books
  title
• REMEMBER You need to add both the apostrophe '
  and the s

7
Tip!

• Even when a singular noun already ends in -s, you
  must still add an apostrophe and an -s to form
  the possessive.
• The classs test scores were high.
• Oscar Lewiss article was interesting, but I
  disagree with much of what he said.

8
Singular Possessive

• Lincoln Universities mascot is the lion.
• Lincoln Universitys mascot is the lion.

• My next clients appointment is at 100.
• My next clients appointment is at 100.

9
2b. Showing Possession

• Plural
• Form the possessive of plural nouns, including
  plural names, by adding just an apostrophe. No
  additional -s is needed after the apostrophe,
  because the plural noun already ends in an -s.
• The five dogs water dishes were all empty.
• The Stengles car is a Subaru.

10
Plural Possessive

• All three agencies directors are coming.
• All three agencies directors are coming.

• Those students excuses are unbelievable.
• Those students excuses are unbelievable.

11
Heres the Common Mistake!!

• Dont make a word possessive when it really is
  just a plain old plural.
• The students did well.
• The students success was well deserved.

X
possessive
12
Another Tip!

• You dont always need an apostrophe to show
  possession. Personal pronouns do NOT use
  apostrophes to show possession, only to make
  contractions.
• The dog wagged its tail. (its is a personal
  pronoun meaning belonging to it)
• Its really happy today. (its is a contraction
  for it is)

13
Personal Pronouns

• Lets practice!
• Whose on first base?
• Whos on first base?
• Their presentation was the best.
• Theyre presentation was the best.

14
Using Apostrophes

• Thats all there is to know about apostrophes, so
  we have come to

15
the Lessons End

• oops, I meant
• THE LESSONS END!