Possessive ApostrophesBy Abdul, Christina, and McCullough

Basic Rules● Singular nouns showing possession

o Mary’s car is red.o The dog’s bone was delicious.

● Singular nouns that end with “s”o James’ hat or James’s hat are both okay

● Plural nounso The parents attended their children’s game.

● Plural nouns that end with “s”o The Egglesses’ presentation was hilarious.o The rabbits’ lettuce was devoured in seconds.

Etc.● Nouns in foreign languages

o The bordeaux’ flavor was exquisite.o Valerie Dumas’ house NOT Valerie Dumas’s house.

● Compound wordso He borrowed his brother-in-law’s money.

● Joint possessiono Ashton and Skye’s cars are very spacious.

● Numbers (possessive)o The 1963’s charm was like no other year’s.

Apostrophes for Contractions● don't = do not

● he'll = he will

● who's = who is

● shouldn't = should not

● didn't = did not

● could've = could have

● '60 = 1960● Caution: some teachers are opposed to the use of contractions

When to not use apostrophes● Plurals of #s and symbols

o The 1960s [NOT the 1960’s] were different from the 1980s.

● Personal/relative pronounso His book [NOT his’ book] is interesting.o Whose dog [NOT who’s dog] is that?

Quiz1. Gus’s car or Gus’ car is dirty.2. François’ house or François’s house is down the street.3. The peoples’ opinions or the people’s opinions are worth

listening to.4. Tom and Liam’s cars or Tom’s and Liam’s cars are in the lot.5. The Beatles’ song or The Beatle’s song is new.

Quiz Answers1. Gus’s car or Gus’ car is dirty. (both correct)2. François’ house or François’s house is down the street.3. The peoples’ opinions or the people’s opinions are worth

listening to.4. Tom and Liam’s cars or Tom’s and Liam’s cars are in the lot.

(both correct)5. The Beatles’ song or The Beatle’s song is new

SourcesOwl, Purdue. "The Apostrophe." Online Writing Lab. The Writing Lab & The Owl, 22 Feb. 2013. Web.

14 Oct. 2014.

"Possessive Forms." The Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community College Foundation,

n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

"The 47 Absolute Greatest Dog GIFs Of 2013." BuzzFeed. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"Make It Rain Gifs." Popular Gifs. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"Kamehameha Baby." RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"Rabbit Eating Lettuce | Gifrific." Gifrific. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Thank you and the end