Post on 18-Jan-2016
THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE
For contractions and possessives
There are two different uses of the apostrophe.
contractions possession (or ownership)
Apostrophe
A clown’s outfit can’t help but stand out in a crowd.
Do Not Use The Apostrophe
TO MAKE WORDS PLURAL
Ex: the kid’s are playing
Ex: The girl’s wanted some new ring tone’s for their phones.
Contractions When two words are combined to
make one word, an apostrophe is used to show where letters have been omitted. This is called a contraction.
Contractions are reserved for informal occasions.
I + have = I’vedid + not = didn’tlet + us = let’s
I + have = I’vedid + not = didn’tlet + us = let’s
Note:The word
it’shas two
meanings.
Note:The word
it’shas two
meanings.It isOR
It has
It isOR
It has
It`s too late to watch the new
movie.(It is too late.)
It`s too late to watch the new
movie.(It is too late.)
It`s been years since
cowboy songs were popular.(It has been
years.)
It`s been years since
cowboy songs were popular.(It has been
years.)
Contractions
Understanding Contractions
You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing.
The apostrophe shows the “o” has been left out.
INCORRECT: They do’nt drive the same type of car as your cousin does.
CORRECT:They don’t drive the same type of car as your cousin does.
Special Situation
She won’t be distracted while doing yoga.
The combination will + not =
won’tThis is an unusual
contraction.
The combination will + not =
won’tThis is an unusual
contraction.
Words Confused- don’t get tricked!
they’re= they are
it’s=it is or it has
you’re=you are
who’s=who is
their
its
your
whose
Contractions Possessive Words
Don’t confuse certain tricky contractions with their
possessive homophones!
Do Not Use The Apostrophe
TO MAKE WORDS PLURAL
Ex: the kid’s are playing
Ex: The girl’s wanted some new ring tone’s for their phones.
Possessives
Use an apostrophe to show ownership.
The girls’ flowers
The woman’s
cell phone
Singular Nouns Use the apostrophe and an - s to
form the possessive case.
•A doctor’s work is never done.
•Dr. Madison took the patient’s medical history.
Singular Nouns For singular nouns ending in -s, it is
acceptable to form the possessive by adding only an apostrophe.
Everyone cheered as Brian
Jones’ quick thinking helped
them win the game.
Plural Nouns Form the possessive of plural
nouns by adding only an apostrophe– AFTER THE S.
For collective nouns (nouns that represent plurals but do not end in s, like women or children) add an ‘sMen’s clothing often indicates their
profession.
The players’ jerseys have just arrived.
Nouns…not Pronouns Apostrophes make NOUNS
possessive– but do not add them to possessive pronouns.
Ben found the solution, ask if you can see his’ answer.
We don’t want these seats, we want theirs’ instead.
Lisa is drafting her essay but our’s are already done.
x
x
x
SUM IT UP Nouns that do not end in -s become
possessive by adding ‘s Nouns that end in –s become
possessive by adding just the ‘ The apostrophe in a contraction goes
where the letters are missing.
Do Not Use The Apostrophe
TO MAKE WORDS PLURAL
Ex: the kid’s are playing
Ex: The girl’s wanted some new ring tone’s for their phones.
Apostrophe Practice Review
Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of
holidays.
Correct or incorrect?
CorrectCorrect
American towns display fireworks as a highlight of
patriotic celebrations.
CorrectCorrect
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July.
Incorrect:father’s
Incorrect:father’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
The United States postal service distributed a
stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo.
Incorrect: Mexico’s
Incorrect: Mexico’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
Many countries celebrate religious events as national
holidays. NOTE:Countries is the plural
form of country. Our country’s most popular
holiday isChristmas.
CorrectCorrect
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
Saint James Day is a
festive day in Spain.
Incorrect: James’
Incorrect: James’
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven
fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy.
CorrectCorrect
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes
similar, even when it comes to food.
Incorrect: Germany’s/
Italy’s
Incorrect: Germany’s/
Italy’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
In the 1970s, people did not decorate their homes for holidays, such as Saint
Patricks Day and Halloween, to the extent that they do
today.
Incorrect: Patrick’s
Incorrect: Patrick’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Correct or incorrect?
Do Not Use The Apostrophe
TO MAKE WORDS PLURAL
Ex: the kid’s are playing
Ex: The girl’s wanted some new ring tone’s for their phones.