Those Confusing Those Confusing Apostrophes!Apostrophes!Created by Marjorie ConradeCreated by Marjorie ConradeWhen should I

use them?Do they go before

the s or after?

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘

‘

‘

• There are two different uses of the apostrophe.apostrophe.

• Use the apostrophe with a contractioncontraction, a shortened form of a word. Isn´t

• Use the apostrophe to show ownership or possessionpossession.•A A cowboy’scowboy’s outfit can’t help but outfit can’t help but

stand out in a crowd.stand out in a crowd.

ApostropheApostrophe

I + have = I’vedid + not = didn’tlet + us = let’s

Example:Example:

the desk of Kathleen or Kathleen’s desk

the toy of Karen or Karen’s toy

the time of an hour or an hour’s time

Marvin’s face looks sick.

Usually the apostrophe(´) Usually the apostrophe(´) goes goes beforebefore the the ss..

Notice that the following sentences show how one person or thing has something (singular possessive).

Bertha’s mouth is closed.

My pencil’s point is broken.

If the owner already ends in If the owner already ends in ss, the apostrophe , the apostrophe goes after the goes after the ss that is already there that is already there. .

Add only an apostrophe to form the possessive of a plural noun that ends with an sThe dogs' bowls - says that the bowls belong to some dogs.The boys' coats - says that the coats belong to some boys.The cars' wheels - says that the wheels belong to some cars.

Watch out for Watch out for plurals plurals that that don't end don't end in in ss..

Words like men and children don't end in s, but they are talking about lots of people.

These words use 's to show possession.

The men's hats - says that the hats belong to the men.

The women's house - says that the house belongs to the women

The children’s costumes are a bit weird.

Helpful hint: Helpful hint: BeforeBefore adding the adding the apostropheapostrophe or or an extra an extra ss, decide if the owner is singular (one) , decide if the owner is singular (one) or plural (more than one).or plural (more than one).

Next, write the word without placing an apostrophe or adding an extra s.Example of a noun that doesn’t end in s: the coat belonging to the boy = one boyNext, add an apostrophe and then an s.I like that boy’s coat.Oh my! That guy’s head fell off!

If the noun already ends in an If the noun already ends in an ss, just , just write the word and add the write the word and add the apostropheapostrophe afterafter the the ss that is already that is already there.there.

Example: the faces that belong to the guys = two guysGuys already ends in an s.Those guys’ faces are funny.Notice that faces doesn’t even need an apostrophe.

Those kidsThose kids’’ bus driver is watching the bus driver is watching the roadroad..

Notice Notice kids’kids’ is plural possessive. is plural possessive.

For a For a singularsingular noun ending in noun ending in ss, sometimes place the , sometimes place the apostrophe after the -s. Try both ways and choose the one that apostrophe after the -s. Try both ways and choose the one that isn’t awkward to say. Nouns with only one syllable often go isn’t awkward to say. Nouns with only one syllable often go ahead and add ahead and add ’’ss. .

the gras the grass’ss’s color color This sounds better than the grassThis sounds better than the grass’’ color color

Sometimes you have a choice.

PROPER NOUNSPROPER NOUNS•A person’s name that already ends in -s often has the apostrophe after the–s. This is especially true if the person’s name has 2 or more syllables.

Mr. Rodgers’ cat Mrs. Cummings’ room

James’s car (or) James’ car (either way is fine)

Below is a list of possessive personal pronouns. They show ownership without an apostrophe!

Don’t use an apostrophe with them to show ownership.

•Your

•Mine

•His

•Their

•Our

•Its

Its bed is comfy!

Another way to use an apostrophe to Another way to use an apostrophe to shorten two words - to make a shorten two words - to make a contractioncontraction..

A contraction is a word in which one or more letters have been omitted. The apostrophe shows this omission. Contractions are common in speaking and in informal writing. To use an apostrophe to create a contraction, place an apostrophe where the omitted letter(s) would go. Here are some examples:

These are These are contractionscontractions; they ; they don’tdon’t show ownership! show ownership!

don't = do not I'm = I am

he'll = he will who's = who is

shouldn't = should not didn't = did not

could've= could have (NOT "could of"!)won’t = will not (doesn’t work like the others)

'60 = 1960he’s = he is or he has

Use an apostrophe to make Use an apostrophe to make individual individual letters or numbersletters or numbers pluralplural. .

We have four A’s on the test.

You will often see the s written as a lowercase letter with no apostrophe.

There are two G4s currently used in our computer labs.

For exercises on using the For exercises on using the apostrophe click apostrophe click here and and here..

Click here to play a game using apostrophesClick here to take a quiz

Click here to see how some people have incorrectly used the apostrophe.

Be an apostrophe detective, looking for incorrectly

used apostrophes in everyday life..