Transcript Punctuation

Punctuation
Using the Apostrophe
Appreciating the Apostrophe

The apostrophe has only a handful of uses,
but these uses are very important. A misplaced
apostrophe can be distracting for the reader
and embarrassing for the writer.
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
We use apostrophes…

to create
possessives

to show
contractions

to create some
plural forms
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Apostrophes and Possessives
The apostrophe is used to create
possessive forms for singular and
plural nouns, especially nouns
referring to people.
 My
cat’s bowl…
 My friend’s locker…
 Julie’s basketball…
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Apostrophes and the letter “S”
When a noun already ends in
“s,” you do not have to use
another “s” after the
apostrophe.
Jesus’ birth…
 The Capulets’ ball…
 Ms. Zaharis’ classroom…

Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Possessives and Plural Nouns
To form the possessive of a
plural noun, pluralize the
noun first and then add the
apostrophe.
The soldiers’ heroism…
 The children’s school…
 The teachers’
meeting…

Notice that with an
irregular plural, the
apostrophe will come
before the “s.”
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
The Apostrophe and Inanimate
Objects
To form the possessive of
an inanimate object, we
can use an “of” phrase.
“The roar of the crowd”, rather than “The
crowd’s roar.”
 “The smell of breakfast”, rather than “The
breakfast’s smell.”

Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
The Apostrophe and Inanimate
Objects (continued…)
Apostrophe possessives
should be used with
expressions of time and in
personifications.
 a year’s salary
 my heart’s desire
 your money’s worth
 the essay’s thesis
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Apostrophes and Contractions
A “contraction” uses an
apostrophe to blend sounds.
The apostrophe shows
where something is left out.

I have been working on my essay.
 I’ve been working on my essay.
 I am a student here.
 I’m a student here.
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Apostrophes and Contractions
(continued…)
Let us go.
It is Mr. Gowans.
Let’s go.
It’s Mr. Gowans.
Who is there?
Who’s there?
REMINDER: It’s is a
contraction for “it is”.
The possessive of it
will be its. Notice
there is NO
apostrophe.
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson
Special Apostrophe Situations!
The apostrophe is
also used to form
the plural of
digits and letters
...
…and to
indicate the
omission of a
number in a
date.





The word “Missassauga” has
four s’s.
She got two 80’s and two
75’s last semester.
He dots his i’s very carefully.
She is part of the class
of ’07.
The fall of ’04 was
especially cold.
Literacy @ Denison -2006-2007
Gowans, MacIsaac, MacPherson