Post on 13-Jan-2016
ApostrophesApostrophesApostrophesApostrophesBHS Ninth GradeBHS Ninth Grade
II. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE
1. Form the possessive singular of nouns with 's.
2. Follow this rule whatever the final consonant.
3. Thus write: 1. Charles's friend2. Burns's poems 3. the witch's malice This is the usage of the United States Government
Printing Office and of the Oxford University Press.
Exceptions to the Rule!
• Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names in -es and -is, the possessive Jesus', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake.
• But such forms as Achilles' heel, Moses' laws, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by: – the heel of Achilles– the laws of Moses– the temple of Isis
The pronominal possessives hers, its, theirs, yours, and oneself have no apostrophe.
Rule 1.Use the apostrophe with contractions. The
apostrophe is always placed at the spot where
the letter(s) has been removed.
• Examples:– don't, isn't – You're right.
• She's a great teacher.
Rule 2.Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the
apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
• Examples:one boy's hat one woman's hat one actress's hat one child's hat Ms. Chang's house
• NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
• Mr. Jones's golf clubs• Texas's weather • Ms. Straus's daughter • Jose Sanchez's artwork • Dr. Hastings's appointment (name is Hastings) • Mrs. Lees's books (name is Lees)
Plural Possessives
• In the case of plural possessives• add 's to the plural forms that do not end in -s:
the children's game the geese's honking
• add ' to the end of plural nouns that end in -s:two cats' toysthree friends' lettersthe countries' laws
Finally …• add 's to the end of compound
words:• my brother-in-law's money• add 's to the last noun to show
joint possession of an object:• Todd and Anne's apartment