Apostrophes

​The Useful Apostrophe

Lesson ​34

Rule 1

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Use an apostrophe to

show possession.​

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Three Rules for Using Apostrophes​

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​If the owner or possessor is a singular noun, add an apostrophe and s

('s).

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Singular = friend

Possessive = friend's

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​THINK: How do you make "kitten" possessive?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence shows that there was one kitten whose toy went under the the table?

• the kitten’s toys went under the table.

• the kittens' toys went under the table.

• the kittens toys' went under the table.

• the kittens toy's went under the table.

​THINK: How do you make "monkey" possessive?

Multiple Choice

the tail of the monkey

• the monkey's tail

• the monkeys' tail

• the monkey tail

​If the owner or possessor is a plural noun ending in "s", add only an apostrophe (').

​THINK: How do you make "girls" possessive?

Multiple Choice

the books that belong to the girls

• the girl's books

• the girls' books

• the girls book's

• the girl's book's

​THINK: How do you make "boys" possessive?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence shows that there's more than one boy that the kite belongs to?

• The boys' kite was stuck in the tree.

• The boy's kite got stuck in the tree.

• The boys' kite's were stuck in the tree.

​If the owner or possessor is a plural noun not ending in "s" add an apostrophe and s ('s).

​THINK: How do you make "children" possessive?

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

• What are your childrens names?

• What are your children's names?

• What are your childrens' names?.

​THINK: How do you make "women" possessive?

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

• The women's dresses are on the second floor.

• The woman' dresses are on the second floor.

• The womens' dresses are on the second floor.

Rule 2

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Use an apostrophe to

show that letters or numbers have been ommitted from a word or expression.

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Three Rules for Using Apostrophes​

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For example...

has not = hasn't

Ed is = Ed's

let us = let's

1996 = '96​

Multiple Choice

How do you make the contraction for was not?

• wasn't
• wasnnt
• wasnt'
• was'nt

Multiple Choice

How do you make the contraction for she would?

• shed
• shed'
• sh'ed
• she'd

Rule 3

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Use an apostrophe and s ('s) to form the plurals of letters, numbers, and signs.

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Three Rules for Using Apostrophes​

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For example...

your g's look like q's

your 5's look like S's

+'s and -'s are used for addition and subtraction

Too many and's and so's create run-together sentences.​