1. Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form A John Langan
Apostrophe
Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form A John Langan

2. Apostrophe 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.

3. Contractions
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.
Contractions are reserved for informal occasions.
I + have = I’ve
did + not = didn’t
let + us = let’s

4. cowboy songs were popular.
Contractions
It`s too late to watch a
cowboy movie.
(It is too late.)
Note:
The word it’s
has two meanings.
It is OR
It has
It`s been years since
cowboy songs were popular.
(It has been years.)

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.
Correct:
Cowboys don’t ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does.
The apostrophe shows the “o” has been left out.

6. Special Situation The combination will + not = won’t
This is an unusual contraction.
Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.

7. Four Special Contractions
Don’t confuse certain tricky contractions with similar sounding possessive words!
Contractions
Possessive Words
they’re= they are
it’s=it is or it has
you’re=you are
who’s=who is
their=belonging to them
its=belonging to it
your=belonging to you
whose=belonging to whom

8. Singular Nouns
Use the apostrophe and an - s to form the possessive case.
A cowboy’s work is never done.
Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west.

9. Singular Nouns
For singular nouns ending in -s, form the possessive 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.

10. 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.
Indicate the possessive of plural nouns not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe and an -s.
Men’s clothing often indicates their profession.

11. Do Not Use The Apostrophe
Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives do not use apostrophes.
We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots.
The spurs are ours.

12. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays.
Correct

13. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations.
Correct

14. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July.
Incorrect:
father’s

15. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo.
Incorrect:
Mexico’s

16. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays.
NOTE:
Countries is the plural
form of country.
Our country’s most popular
holiday is
Christmas.
Correct

17. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain.
Incorrect:
James’

18. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food.
Incorrect:
Germany’s/
Italy’s

19. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy.
Correct

20. Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
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.
Incorrect:
’70s/Patrick’s