Apostrophes 1

LO:Use apostrophes correctly.

Missing letters when words are shortened

There are two main reasons for using apostrophes. One of them is to

replace a missing letter or letters from a word when it is shortened.

For example…

Would becomes wouldn’t (the apostrophe replaces the missing letter ‘o’)

I have becomes I’ve (the apostrophe replaces the missing letters ‘h’ and

‘a’)

He is becomes he’s (‘the apostrophe replaces the missing letter ‘i’)

Watch me shorten these words…

Notice where I put the apostrophe. It replaces the missing letter.

I put the apostrophe where the missing letter should be.

We are – I had – He will -

Task: Now you try these examples

Remember, the apostrophe replaces the missing letter or letters.

Write down the shortened form of these words for me:

Does not Here it I will Would have You are Write down some other words you know which

have apostrophes for missing letters.

What do you remember? Tell me what it is important to remember about

using apostrophes for missing letters.

Apostrophes 2

LO:Use apostrophes correctly.

Showing ownership (singular)

There are two main reasons for using apostrophes. One of them is to show ownership.

For example…

Sarah’s dog is a Labrador (the ‘s shows that the dog belongs to Sarah)

Simon borrowed Peter’s CD (the ‘s shows that the CD belongs to Peter)

Notice that when we use ‘s to show ownership, there are nearly always two nouns together with the first one ending in

s.

I have to ask myself: is this an s that shows the word is plural (more than one)?

If not, is this an s that shows ownership? If it is? The apostrophe and the s are attached to the owner.

Assam’s motorbike is very fast• (the motorbike is owned by Assam)

The teacher’s desk is at the front• (it’s the desk that the teacher uses)

I will leave in a year’s time• (We need the ‘s to show the connection between year and

time – it can’t be a plural because it is a year)

WHEN I ADD AN S…

Copy down the following sentences, adding in the apostrophe where it should go.

Remember that the apostrophe and the s are attached to the owner.

Lucy went to her friends house. Kulvindars jacket is red. The test is in a months time.

Task: Now you try these examples

What questions should we ask ourselves when we write a word ending in s?

What do you remember?

Apostrophes 3

LO:Use apostrophes correctly.

Its and it’s

You need to learn the difference between it’s and it is.

• It’s with an apostrophe is short for it is.• Its without an apostrophe shows

ownership or belonging.

This breaks the rule of ‘s showing ownership.

For example

I am going to decide how to spell its in these sentences. I ask myself: can I use it is instead?

It’s an excellent night for television. I can say: It is an excellent night for television, so I use it’s with

an apostrophe to show that the letter I is missing.

The dog ate its bone. I can’t say ‘the dog ate it is bone’, so I use the it’s without the

apostrophe.

Write down these sentences for me. Ask yourself: Can I use it is? If you can, then it is it’s with an apostrophe.

The cat pounced on its prey. Its a long time before the next holiday. The bell rings when its nine o’clock. The cheetah protects its cubs from attack.

Task: Now you try these examples

Tell me how you are going to remember when to write it’s with an apostrophe.

What do you remember?