Transcript Using End Marks

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 a
as
’sininthis
thisword.
word.
An unnecessary apostrophe is
also confusing.
’s price?
price?
Do you know it
its
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.
Singular
Plural
Plural
Possessive
man
men
men’s
goose
geese
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?
These
forms are
used
before
nouns.
my
mine
your
yours
his, her, its
his, hers, its
our
ours
their
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.
state
states
glass
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 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]
The End