Transcript Using Apostrophes

Using Apostrophes
Possessive Case
To form the possessive case of most
singular nouns, add an apostrophe and an
s.
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Ex. Tony’s problem; a bus’s wheel, a dollar’s
worth, Mr. Ross’s job
Note:
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For a proper name ending in s, add only an
apostrophe if the name has two or more
syllables and if the addition of ‘s would make
the name awkward to pronounce. Ex. West
Indies’ export; Texas’ governor, Mrs. Wiggins’
car
For a singular common noun ending in s, add
both an apostrophe and an s if the added s is
pronounced as a separate syllable. Ex: the
actress’s costumes, the dress’s sleeves, the
class’s teacher
Let’s Try…
Form the possessive case of each of the following nouns. After each
possessive word, give an appropriate noun.
Example: Teresa – Teresa’s pencil
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
baby
uncle
year
cent
class
Terry
Ellen
mouse
Mr. Chan
10. Mr. Reynolds
11. plane
12. boss
13. child
14. Ms. Sanchez
15. horse
16. Paris
17. system
18. Mr. Jones
Let’s check…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
baby’s bottle
uncle’s house
year’s events
cent’s worth
class’s problem
Terry’s friend
Ellen’s plans
mouse’s cheese
Mr. Chan’s daughter
10. Mr. Reynolds’ car
11. plane’s wings
12. boss’s secretary
13. child’s game
14. Ms. Sanchez’s son
15. horse’s mane
16. Paris’s cafes
17. system’s problem
18. Mr. Jones’s car
Possessive plurals
To form the possessive case of a plural nouns
ending in s, add only the apostrophe.
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two birds’ feathers
all three cousins’ vacation
the Girl Scouts’ uniforms
*If the plural noun doesn’t end in s, add an apostrophe
and s.
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children’s shoes
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women’s belts
Let’s Try…
Form the possessive case of each of the following plural
nouns.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
men
cats
teachers
enemies
princesses
dollars
elves
cattle
mice
parents
11. the Smiths
12. sheep
13. wives
14. O’Gradys
15. runners
16. attorneys
17. allies
18. friends
19. women
20. bats
Let’s Check…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
men’s
cats’
teachers’
enemies’
princesses’
dollars’
elves’
cattle’s
mice’s
parents’
11. The Smiths’
12. sheep’s
13. wives;
14. O’Gradys’
15. runners’
16. attorneys’
17. allies’
18. friends’
19. women’s
20. bats’
Possessive Notes Continued
Generally, in compound words, names of
organizations and businesses, and words
showing joint possession, only the last
word is possessive in form.
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compound words: community board’s meeting
Organizations: United Fund’s drive
Businesses: Berkeley Milk Company’s trucks
Joint Possession: Peggy and Lisa’s tent
When two or more persons possess
something individually, each of their
names is possessive in form.
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Example:
Mrs. Martin’s and Mrs. Blair’s cars
Amy’s and Danielle’s tennis rackets
Contractions
Use an apostrophe to show where letters,
numerals, or words have been omitted in a
contraction.
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Who is = Who’s
1991 = ’91
Of the clock = O’clock
Bill is = Bill’s
I had = I’d
You all = y’all 
Don’t be confused~contractions and
possessive pronouns are not the same!
Who’s at bat?
It’s roaring.
You’re too busy!
There’s a kite.
They’re tall trees.
Whose bat is that?
Listen to its roar.
Your friend is busy.
That kite is theirs.
Their trees are tall.
Plurals
To prevent confusion, use an apostrophe and an
s to form the plurals of lowercase letters, some
capital letters, numerals, symbols, and words
that are referred to as words.
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I got A’s on both tests.
The 1’s in this exercise look like l’s.
Two different Web site addresses began with ##’s and
ended with .com’s.
His hi’s are always cheerful.