Apostrophes

… and how to use them correctly

Apostrophes

1. Contraction

- Used when two words are joined together

e.g.

Have not = haven’t

You are = you’re

2. Possession

(Ownership of an object)

- Used to show who

owns the object.

- How many people own the the object

Apostrophes1. Contractions

Used when two words are joined together.He will = he’ll

The apostrophe replaces the missing letters.They are = they’re

Can not = can’tShe will = she’llYou are = you’re

I will = I’llUSED ONLY AS INFORMAL WRITING

Tricky Contractions

Will not = won’t (there is no such word as willn’t !!!)

It is = it’s

(ask yourself if you are saying it is when you use this contraction … if not, simply use its e.g. The cat bit its tail its is possession – the tail belonging to the cat!)

Would have = would’ve Should have = should’veCould have = could’ve

NEVER SAY WOULD OF

SHOULD OF

COULD OF

2. Apostrophes of Possession

Used to explain Who Owns An Object

And How Many Own The Object.

There are FOUR RULES we need to know.

RULE 2

If there is ONE owner, the apostrophe goes BEFORE the s. ‘S

The girls dress is blue. (one girl who owns a dress)

The girl’s dress is blue.

Jays hair is dark. (definitely only one Jay)

Jay’s hair is dark.

The cars front fender was dented. (one car)

The car’s front fender was dented.

TOO EASY????

RULE 2If there is MORE THAN ONE OWNER, then the

apostrophe goes AFTER THE S S’The girls hats blew away in the wind. (2 girls)The girls’ hats blew away in the wind.London Boys College is a famous school.London Boys’ College is a famous school.My friends lottery win was enormous. (4 friends)My friends’ lottery win was enormous.The ladies lunch was very popular (lots of ladies)The ladies’ lunch was very popular.

Now You Try

1. The dogs collar was too tight. (1 dog)2. The ships foghorns could be heard in

the mist (lots of ships)3. The tables legs were uneven. (1 table)4. The soldiers cries could be heard for

miles (29 soldiers)5. The students folios were very

important. (lots of students)6. The cats fur was long and silky. (1 cat)

Harder … who want to try???

The aliens tentacles waved in the wind.

(14 aliens).

Callums laser gun was not working.

He threw Anas helmet at the alien instead.

The bright sun hurt Sukhveers eyes.

OOOOH … you think you are clever do you???

RULE 3

When the owner’s name already ENDS IN S …. ADD ‘S

Mrs Woods car is grey. Mrs Woods’s car is grey.Anas pencil case is yellow.Anas’s pencil case is yellow.Jesus robes were white.Jesus’s robes were white.

YOU CAN HEAR THE SECOND S SOUND .. THAT’S WHY YOUR WRITE IT!!

Now you try …

Angus new bike is very powerful.Angus’s new bike is very powerful.Let’s go to Fergus house this weekend.Let’s go to Fergus’s house this weekend.Thomas mother is a nurse.Thomas’s mother is a nurse.Get your books from Mr Davis room.Get your books from Mr Davis’s room.The ladies lunch was popular.The ladies’ lunch was popular.

RULE 4

This rule applies to SPECIAL PLURAL WORDS OR COLLECTIVE NOUNS.

Collective nouns are words which describe a SINGLE GROUP OF SOMETHING SO RULE 1 APPLIES ‘S

e.g. one man = lots of MEN one woman = lots of WOMEN

one child = lots of CHILDREN one sheep = FLOCK

one soldier = ARMY

You try …

The womens coats were put in a cupboard.

The women’s coats were put in a cupboard.

The nurse held the childrens hands.

The nurse held the children’s hands.

Mens basketball is a fast game.

Men’s basketball is a fast game.