Apostrophes © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What are Apostrophes? Apostrophes: Show ownership Hayden’s dog, Lisa’s purse Show that a letter (or letters) have been left out of two words that have been joined I + am = I’m; that + is = that’s, etc. Make letters and numbers plural The size 10’s are all gone. Form possessives of time nouns This year’s TV shows are worse than ever. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What are Apostrophes? (continued 1) Add –’s to a singular noun to show ownership, even if the noun already ends in –s: Bill’s house Chris’s car If a noun is plural and ends in –s, add an apostrophe to show ownership: The girls’ shoes (more than one girl) If it is plural but does not end in –s, add –’s: The children’s clothes © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What are Apostrophes?(continued 2) Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. INCORRECT: The player’s huddled. CORRECT: The players huddled. Do not use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun (like your, yours, ours). INCORRECT: I like your yard better than our’s. CORRECT: I like your yard better than ours. What are Apostrophes?(continued 2) © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What are Apostrophes? (continued 3) When writing a contraction, put an apostrophe where the letters have been left out, not between two words: INCORRECT: does’nt CORRECT: doesn’t What are Apostrophes? (continued 3) © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: I dont know whether he wears size 10s or size 12s. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: I don’t know whether he wears size 10’s or size 12’s. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 1) Whose getting the cake for Dads birthday? © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 1) Who’s getting the cake for Dad’s birthday? © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 2) Theres no way I can pay this months rent. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 2) There’s no way I can pay this month’s rent. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Fix the following sentence by adding apostrophes where needed: (continued 3) Arent the boys Halloween costumes frightening? © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 3) Aren’t the boys’ Halloween costumes frightening? © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s