Apostrophes are for
two purposes:
·
Contractions
·
Possession
CONTRACTIONS
The apostrophe joins two words together to make a contraction.
The apostrophe joins two words together to make a contraction.
·
do
not = don't
·
I
am = I'm
The apostrophe replaces the removed letter. For example, in the word "don't", the apostrophe takes the place of the "o" that is removed from “do not”.
Here are some more examples of contractions:
·
have
not = haven't
·
is
not = isn't
·
He
is = He's
Although contractions are common in speaking and informal writing, they should not be used in academic writing. However, they are often used in email and business writing to speed up communication.
Apostrophes also replace
missing numbers in years. For example,
·
She graduated in the
class of '78. (1978)
·
I have a '57 Corvette. (1957)
POSSESSION
Apostrophes are used with nouns to show ownership. Nouns take apostrophes in different ways. The following chart shows what to add to nouns when showing possession.
Apostrophes are used with nouns to show ownership. Nouns take apostrophes in different ways. The following chart shows what to add to nouns when showing possession.
Apostrophe
+ S ('s)
|
Apostrophe (')
|
Single Nouns
·
The
dog's bowl
·
The
boy's hat
·
Jennifer's shoes
·
The
computer's battery
|
Plural Nouns
·
The
girls' books
·
The
boys' hats
·
The
students' teacher
|
Irregular
Plural Nouns
·
The
children's toys
·
The
people's ideas
|
|
Indefinite
Pronouns
·
Everyone's shoes
·
Someone's
keys
|
Nouns that end in
"S"
When a noun ends in "s", you have 2 options:
When a noun ends in "s", you have 2 options:
1. Add an apostrophe and "s".
·
Charles
Dickens's novel
·
The
Davis
2.
Add only an apostrophe.
·
Charles
Dickens' novel
·
The
Davis
Using the apostrophe depends on the pronunciation of
the word. If it sounds awkward to add
the "s", then leave it out.
For example, this sentence does not sound good with the extra
"s". The second sentence
sounds better than the first.
- Chris Tompkins's brother is a doctor.
- Chris Tompkins' brother is a doctor.
However, if the word sounds fine with the extra “s”
then you can add it. For example:
- Chris’s brother is a doctor.
- Chris’ brother is a doctor.
To decide which option to take, say the word aloud
to see which sounds best.
More than 1 Noun
The apostrophe goes on the last name
in a group that shares possession.
·
Jane
and Bob's house
Use 2 apostrophes when
showing possession of two different things.
·
Steve's and Bob's houses
Multiple Word Subjects
When a noun has more than one word, the last word in the group receives
the apostrophe.
·
The Queen of England
·
The Director of Marketing's office
Apostrophe Mistakes
Do not use apostrophes
for plural nouns that have no possession:
- The boy’s are tired.
- The boys are tired.
Do not use apostrophes
for plural nouns that are abbreviations or numbers.
- CD's, 1970's
- CDs, 1970s
Do
not use apostrophes with pronouns.
- Where is her' jacket?
- Their's school has many students.
Many
people mistake its and it's.
Its is for possession.
- My radio doesn't work. Its batteries are dead.
It's is a contraction that means "it is".
- It's cold today.
- It's too early to open the office.
Apostrophe Test
Choose the option that uses apostrophes
correctly.
|
|
1.
a) The dogs bone
b) The dog's bone 2. a) The men's hats b) The mens' hats 3. a) The boys' bikes b) The boys bikes 4. a) Gus's hat b) Gus hat 5. a) His' house b) His house |
6.
a) It's very late at night. b) Its very late at night. 7. a) The televisions cable b) The television's cable 8. a) His brothers friend b) His brother's friend 9. a) The jacket is her's. b) The jacket is hers. 10. a) My co-worker's office b) My co-workers offices |
Put
apostrophes in the following sentences.
Some sentences do not need apostrophes.
1. The
boys bicycle is blue.
2. Janes
house is on
3. The
girls are playing in the park with their toys.
4. Susan
and Bobs cousin lives in
5. Its
prohibited to take photos in this area.
6. Please
bring your childrens passports to the airport.
7. We
will study William Shakespeares Romeo and
Juliet.
8. Five
of the students failed the last exam.
9. Its
buttons do not work.
10. Could
you email me when the Fergusons account is corrected?
11. The
peoples cars are in the parking lot.
12. The
students and teachers agreed on a date for the exam.
13. The
photocopiers paper tray is broken.
14. She
has a dog. Its a puppy.
15. My
three friends have the same laptop.
|
Correct these sentences. You may add, move, or remove
apostrophes and "s".
1. Pauls hat is on the table.
2. My department has 13 employees and his's
department has
only 4 people.
3. The baseball teams mascot is a chicken.
4. Dianas' house is on
5. His cats toys are in the kitchen.
6. There are two Lisa's in my class
7. Could you email me Freds' phone number?
8. We should discuss the customers invoice.
9. The Director's of Marketing new office is
on the 2nd floor.
10. The new budget will be edited and sent out
by Janets
assistant on Monday.
11. Ricky's and Bobby's new kitten is very
cute.
12. It's cable is broken, so it will not work.
13. This womens' magazine has many
advertisements
14. I hope its not broken.
15. Her house is on the same street as
their's.
|
Would you like to practice more with apostrophes? Try these apostrophes quizzes from learnEnglish-online:
Apostrophe Test
Apostrophe Test 2
Apostrophe Test 3
Would you like to improve your use of punctuation in English? The Punctuation Perfection Course is exactly what you need. Click on the link below to learn more:
Punctuation Perfection Course