Those Confusing Apostrophes!

Created by Marjorie Conrade

When should I use
them?
Do they go before
the s or after?



There are two different uses of
the apostrophe.
Use the apostrophe with a contraction,
a shortened form of a word. Isnt
Use the apostrophe to show ownership
or possession.
A cowboys outfit cant help but stand out
in a crowd.
Apostrophe
I + have = Ive
did + not = didnt
let + us = lets
Example:

the desk of Kathleen or Kathleens desk
the toy of Karen or Karens toy
the time of an hour or an hours time

Marvins face looks sick.
Usually the apostrophe() goes
before the s.
Notice that the following sentences show how
one person or thing has something (singular
possessive).
Berthas mouth is closed.
My pencils point is broken.
If the owner already ends in s, the apostrophe goes
after the s that is already there.


Add only an apostrophe to form the possessive of a plural noun
that ends with an s
The 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 plurals that don't end in s.
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 childrens costumes are a bit
weird.
Helpful hint: Before adding the apostrophe or an extra
s, decide if the owner is singular (one) or plural (more
than one).
Next, write the word without placing an apostrophe or
adding an extra s.
Example of a noun that doesnt end in s: the coat
belonging to the boy = one boy
Next, add an apostrophe and then an s.
I like that boys coat.
Oh my! That guys head fell off!

If the noun already ends in an s, just write
the word and add the apostrophe after the
s that is already there.
Example: the faces that belong to the guys = two guys
Guys already ends in an s.
Those guys faces are funny.
Notice that faces doesnt even need an apostrophe.




Those kids bus driver is watching the road.

Notice kids is plural possessive.


For a singular noun ending in s, sometimes place the
apostrophe after the -s. Try both ways and choose the one that
isnt awkward to say. Nouns with only one syllable often go
ahead and add s.

the grasss color
This sounds better than the grass color
Sometimes you have a choice.

PROPER NOUNS
A persons name that already ends in -s often
has the apostrophe after thes. This is especially
true if the persons name has 2 or more syllables.
Mr. Rodgers cat Mrs. Cummings room
Jamess car (or) James car
(either way is fine)
Below is a list of possessive personal pronouns.
They show ownership without an apostrophe!
Dont 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 shorten two
words - to make a contraction.
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 contractions; they
dont 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"!)

wont = will not (doesnt work like the others)

'60 = 1960

hes = he is or he has


Use an apostrophe to make individual letters
or numbers plural.
We have four As 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 apostrophe
click here and here.
Click here to play a game using
apostrophes
Click 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.
.