ApostrophesBasic Rules and Plural

Possessive

Presented by Allison Monson, Lucas Huntington, and Lu Liu

Contractions

• Use an apostrophe where the letter or letters have been removed.• doesn’t, wouldn’t, it’s, can’t, you’ve, etc.

• Incorrect: does’nt

Possession

• Use an apostrophe to show possession.• With a singular noun, add and apostrophe and the letter s

• the man’s shirt

• the manager’s check

• Mr. Taylor’s house

Possession

• Many common nouns end in the letter s. So do a lot of proper nouns. There are conflicting theories about how to show possession when using these nouns. There isn’t a specific “right answer.” Just be consistent with what you choose.

Possession

• You can add an apostrophe+s to everything.• Jones’s

• Hastings’s

• class’s

Possession

• Another option is to add only an apostrophe after proper nouns, and an apostrophe+s after common nouns.• The boss’s truck

• Mr. Jones’ pencil

• The hippopotamus’s food

• Texas’ weather

Possession

• If two people own the same item, put the apostrophe+s after the second name.• Alex and Miranda’s home

• In cases of separate possession, use the possessive form for both.• Alex’s and Miranda’s homes are both lovely.

Possession

• Be aware of nouns ending in –y; do not show possession by changing the –y to –ies.• Incorrect: the companies policy

• Correct: the company’s policy

Possession

• Be aware of false possessives, which occur with nouns ending in –s. Don’t add apostrophes to noun-derived adjectives ending in –s. Paying close attention will be helpful.• Incorrect: I enjoy New Orleans’ cuisine.

• Correct: I enjoy New Orleans cuisine.

Plural Possessive

• Regular nouns form their plural by adding –s or –es. To show plural possession, simply add an apostrophe after the s.• guys’ night out

• two actress’ roles

Plural Possessive

• Irregular nouns become plural by changing the spelling. It’s helpful to write the whole irregular plural noun out before adding an apostrophe or and apostrophe+s.• Incorrect: The teeths’ roots

• Correct: The teeth’s roots

Plural Possessive

• Do not use an apostrophe+s to make a regular noun plural• Incorrect: Apostrophe’s are confusing

• Correct: Apostrophes are confusing

Plural Possessive

• Never use an apostrophe to make a name plural• Incorrect: The William’s are here.

• Correct: The Williams are here.