Plurals, Possessive, and Contractions

Plurals, Possessive, and Contractions

Apostrophes can change the meaning of your words.

When do writers use an apostrophe?

• singular possessive nouns

• plural possessives nouns

• contractions

Possessive Nouns

Use an apostrophe to show possession, or ownership, of something.

To make a singular noun possessive, add 's.

To make a plural noun possessive, you usually add an apostrophe AFTER the s.

Multiple Choice

How would you make this possessive?

Irenas locker is a mess.

• Irena's locker is a mess.

• Irenas' locker is a mess.

• Irenas's locker is a mess.

Multiple Choice

How would you make this possessive?

The television belonging to Kelly was too loud!

• Kelly's television was too loud!

• Kellys' television was too loud!

• Kellys television was too loud

Multiple Choice

How would you make this possessive?

The books belonging to the two boys were on the floor.

• The boy's books were on the floor.

• The boys' books were on the floor.

• The boys books were on the floor.

Be careful with irregular plural nouns!

• Irregular nouns may change form: mouse to mice, man to men, child to children, cactus to cacti

  The mice's cheese was gone.

  The children's toys are in the basket.

  The men's locker room is on the right.

  
  

Contractions Using "is" also use apostrophes

Contractions are a combination of two words. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter(s).

Fill in the Blank

Use an apostrophe to shorten the underlined words:

He is not going to the game.

'

Fill in the Blank

Use an apostrophe to form the contraction of the underlined words:

That is definitely the problem!

'

Let's Review

Multiple Choice

Whos he trying to fool?

• Who's

• Whos

• Correct as written

Multiple Choice

The player's hockey sticks are looking a little worn.

• players'

• sticks'

• correct as written

Multiple Choice

What's on television tonight?

• Whats'

• Whats

• correct as written

Multiple Choice

Don't get too close to the rivers' edge.

• river's

• rivers

• correct as written

Fill in the Blank

Enter the correct form of the apostrophe.

Brian___ patience helped him to survive.

'

Fill in the Blank

The fool bird___ colors helped to hide them.

'