McGraw -Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 The Apostrophe Prepared by Professors Rita Perkins and Paul Harris Camden County College

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 2  There are two different uses of the apostrophe.  Use the apostrophe with a contraction, a shortened form of a word.  Use the apostrophe to show ownership or possession.  A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand out in a crowd. The Apostrophe

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 3Contractions  When two words are combined to make one word, an apostrophe is used to show where letters have been omitted. This is called a contraction.This is called a contraction. Contractions are reserved for informal occasions.Contractions are reserved for informal occasions. I + have = I’ve did + not = didn’t let + us = let’s

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4Contractions Note: The word it’s has two meanings. Note: The word it’s has two meanings. It is OR It has It is OR It has It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.) It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.)

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 Understanding Contractions  You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing.  INCORRECT: Cowboys do’nt ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does.Cowboys do’nt ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does.  Correct: Cowboys don’t ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does.Cowboys don’t ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. The apostrophe shows the o has been left out.The apostrophe shows the o has been left out.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 Special Situation The combination will + not = won’t This is an unusual contraction. The combination will + not = won’t This is an unusual contraction. Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 7 Using the Apostrophe with Numbers Numbers can be omitted. In the ’50s cowboy movies were very popular. ( The 1950s - the apostrophe shows that the “19” was left out.) In the ’50s cowboy movies were very popular. ( The 1950s - the apostrophe shows that the “19” was left out.)

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 8  Apostrophes are sometimes used to form the plural of letters, numbers, and symbols.  Be consistent. Cowboy legends began as early as the 1860’s.Cowboy legends began as early as the 1860’s. Cowboys often did not know their A’s from B’s.Cowboys often did not know their A’s from B’s. Special Situations with Numbers

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 9 Singular Nouns  Use the apostrophe and an - s to form the possessive case. A cowboy’s work is never done.A cowboy’s work is never done. Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west.Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 10 Singular Nouns  For singular nouns ending in -s, it is acceptable to form the possessive by adding -’s or by adding only an apostrophe. The writer must be consistent throughout a piece of writing. Columbus’ horses, which he brought on his second voyage, were the first to arrive in the new world.Columbus’ horses, which he brought on his second voyage, were the first to arrive in the new world.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 11 Plural Nouns  Form the possessive of plural nouns by adding an apostrophe. The wranglers’ gloves protected their hands from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold.The wranglers’ gloves protected their hands from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold.  Indicate the possessive of plural nouns not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe and an -s. Men’s clothing often indicates their profession.Men’s clothing often indicates their profession.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12 Compound Words and Phrases  Compound words: Annie Oakley was married, but we do not know if her father-in-law’s views about cowgirls were positive ones.Annie Oakley was married, but we do not know if her father-in-law’s views about cowgirls were positive ones.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 13 Do Not Use The Apostrophe  Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives do not use apostrophes. We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots.We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots. The spurs are ours.The spurs are ours.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 14 Apostrophe Practice Review  Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 15 Apostrophe Practice Review  American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 16 Apostrophe Practice Review  My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Incorrect father’s Incorrect father’s

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 17 Apostrophe Practice Review  The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Incorrect Mexico’s Incorrect Mexico’s

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 18 Apostrophe Practice Review  Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. NOTE: Countries is the plural form of country. Our country’s most popular holiday is Christmas. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 19 Apostrophe Practice Review  Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Incorrect James’ Incorrect James’

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 20 Apostrophe Practice Review  Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Incorrect Germany’s/Italy’s Incorrect Germany’s/Italy’s

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 21 Apostrophe Practice Review  Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 22 Apostrophe Practice Review  In the 70s people did not decorate their homes for holidays, such as Saint Patricks Day and Halloween, to the extent that they do today. Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect. Two errors ’70s/Patrick’s Two errors ’70s/Patrick’s

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 23AnyQuestionsPartners?