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