1. ApostrophesApostrophes BHS Ninth Grade

2. 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 friend 2.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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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' toys three friends' letters the countries' laws

7. 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