Using Apostrophes Why are apostrophes important Possessive case

Using Apostrophes Why are apostrophes important? Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Possessive personal pronouns Indefinite pronouns Special problems with possessives Contractions Plurals Review A Review B

Why are apostrophes important? The apostrophe can serve several different purposes. Mainly, the apostrophe is used to show ownership, or possession. Here is Justin’s baseball cap. Is this the cat’s collar?

Why are apostrophes important? The apostrophe can also show where something is missing in a contraction. they will they’ll he has Sometimes, in special cases, the apostrophe is used to form plurals. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s. he’s

Why are apostrophes important? A missing apostrophe can cause confusion. There are two assin this word. a’ in this word. An unnecessary apostrophe is also confusing. Do you know it’s price? its price? Knowing where to place an apostrophe—and why— will help make your writing clearer. [End of Section]

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Singular nouns Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case of most singular nouns. the coach’s plan Ross’s room a bird’s nest

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns For the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an s or z sound, add only the apostrophe if • the noun has two or more syllables and • adding an apostrophe and an s will make the word awkward to pronounce for goodness’ sake Achilles’ battles Otherwise, add an apostrophe and an s. Ms. Schwartz’s car the witness’s testimony

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Plural nouns If a plural noun ends in s, just add an apostrophe. the girls’ uniforms the Jacksons’ yard

Possessive case Singular nouns and plural nouns Plural nouns Some irregular plural nouns do not end in s. Add an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive case. Plu Sin gul ar Plu ral man men ral Pos ses siv e men’s goose geese’s

Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns A possessive personal pronoun never has an apostrophe—even when the pronoun ends in s. I got a great price on mine. I like your new bike. Did you buy yours at the same place he bought his?

Possessive case Possessive personal pronouns Most possessive personal pronouns have two forms. Can you see their kite? Is that one theirs? my mine yours his, her, its his, hers, its ours their These forms are used before nouns. theirs These forms stand alone. Do not add an apostrophe to any of these pronouns.

Possessive case Indefinite pronouns In the possessive case, indefinite pronouns need an apostrophe and an s. Everybody’s hopes were high. One player got in the other’s way.

Possessive case On Your Own For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or words in parentheses. 1. The ______ toys are all over the floor. (children) 2. Are those notebooks _____? (you) 3. He did not take _____ opinion seriously. (anyone) 4. ________ tulips are blooming. (Mrs. Katz) 5. The _____ claim to fame is _____ candy factory. (town, it)

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Compound nouns In compound nouns, only the last word is possessive in form. the Mississippi River’s banks my sister-in-law’s scrapbook the editor-in-chief’s opinions

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Joint possession When two or more nouns share possession, only the last noun is possessive in form. Brad, Suki, and Dawn’s band Three people have a band together.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Joint possession When one of the words showing joint possession is a pronoun, both words should be in the possessive form. His and Jared’s paper Two boys are working on a paper together.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Two or more persons possessing something individually When two or more persons each possess something, each of their names should be in the possessive form. Tim’s and Jake’s skateboards Each boy has his own skateboard. The noun skateboards is plural.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives With words showing joint or individual possession, be sure to check your apostrophes when you change a noun to a pronoun. Ty and Yoko’s piano Ty’s and her piano Two people each own pianos. Mark’s and Kim’s pianos Mark’s and her pianos Two people own one piano together.

Possessive case Special problems with possessives Times and amounts Use apostrophes for the possessive forms of • words indicating time, such as minute, hour, day, week, month, and year a day’s rest thirty minutes’ work • words indicating amounts in cents or dollars one dollar’s worth two cents’ worth

Possessive case Special problems with possessives On Your Own For each sentence, write the possessive case of the word or word group in parentheses. 1. In history class we read about _________ expedition. (Lewis and Clark) 2. Mandy saved two _________ pay to buy the sweater. (weeks) 3. Have you seen the ____________ new exhibit? (Natural History Museum) 4. Were ________ grades good? (Rob and Katie) [End of Section]

Contractions An apostrophe shows where letters, words, or numerals have been omitted from a contraction. have not haven’t they had they’d you will of the clock 1950 you’ll o’clock ’ 50

Contractions Usually, when the word not is shortened to n’t and added to a verb, the spelling of the verb doesn’t change. should not does not shouldn’t doesn’t The two exceptions to this rule are will not won’t cannot can’t [End of Section]

Plurals In most cases, do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. states glasses To prevent confusion, a few kinds of nouns do form plurals by adding an apostrophe and an s. • lowercase letters • some capital letters m’s and n’s A ’s U ’s i ’s S ’s

Plurals Also use an apostrophe and an s to form the plural of • symbols % ’s $ ’s & ’s • numerals 5 ’s 6 ’s 7 ’s • some words that are referred to as words He uses too many but’s and’s.

Contractions and plurals On Your Own Add apostrophes where needed in the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write C. 1. My little sister doesnt write her bs or ds clearly. 2. How many double ss are in Mississippi? 3. It’s almost time to go see the dentist. 4. Lets see whats going on. 5. Ill add the &s and *s to the report later. [End of Section]

Review A In the following sentences, circle any words that need apostrophes or have incorrect apostrophes. 1. The childrens’ tickets didnt cost as much as the adults tickets. 2. Is that someones journal lying there? 3. We’re leaving for Pauls party at nine o clock. 4. Wev’e found youre no help at all. 5. Your handwritten ws look like vs. [End of Section]

Review B Correct the errors in possessive forms, contractions, and plurals in the following sentences. 1. Ben and Terrells bikes are both ten-speeds. 2. This will be Jeffs first time babysitting the Rosses children. 3. We did not get a moments rest. 4. Dont forget to dot your is and cross your ts. 5. The usher gathered everybodys tickets. 6. Ive left my jacket in the car; may I borrow yours? [End of Section]

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