ApostrophesUse to Show Possession:

1. Add an apostrophe and an s to a singular noun to make it possessive.

a. Examples:- The boy’s dog - a policeman’s badge- tomorrow’s class - David’s cousin

2. Add only an apostrophe to a plural noun to make it possessive.

a. Examples:- Olsens’ house - customers’ complaints- teachers’ meeting - girls’ team

3. Add an apostrophe and an s to plural nouns that do not end in s.

a. Examples:- the men’s organization - the children’s toys- the people’s choice - women’s shoe department

To Show Possession

ApostrophesUse for Compound Possessives:

1. Only the final name take the possessive form.

a. Example: Ben and Jerry’s butter pecan ice cream is my favorite.

2. However, this applies only when the possession is truly collective.

a. Example of when possession is not collective:- My parents’ and grandparents’ houses both need

to be painted.

Compound Possessives

ApostrophesUse for Contractions:

1. Use to indicate where letters have been omitted in contractions.

a. Be sure to put the apostrophe exactly where the letters have been omitted.

b. Examples:- I’d (I had) - we’re (we are) - I’ll (I will)- hasn’t (has not) - you’re (you are) - we’ll (we

will)- could’ve (could have) - mustn’t (must not)

Use for Omissions:

2. Use to show where a number(s) have been left out.

a. Examples:- Spirit of ‘76 (1776) - Class of ‘10 (2010)

Contractions

Omissions

ApostrophesUse for Plurals of Letters and Numbers:

1. Use to show the plurals of alphabetical letters and numbers.

a. Examples: - Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.- They did not have any more size 9’s.

Use for Certain Expressions:

2. A few expressions require an apostrophe, even though actual possession may be unclear.a. Again, for singular nouns add an apostrophe and an

s, and for plural nouns just add an apostrophe

b. Examples: - at wit’s end - writer’s block - a stone’s throw- fifty cents’ worth - two week’s work - year’s supply

Plurals of Letters and Numbers

Certain Expressions

ApostrophesWHEN NOT TO USE AN APOSTROPHE:

1. Never add an apostrophe to his, hers, its, ours, yours, or theirs.a. These are personal pronouns that already show

possession.b. Remember!

- It’s means it is. (It’s a lot of fun)- Its is the possessive of it. (Its lid was chipped.)

2. Never add an apostrophe to a simple plural noun.a. Example: For more than three weeks I have been

waiting for a reply to my letter.

3. Do NOT use apostrophes for the plurals of years.a. Example: The late 1960s was a time of social unrest

in many countries.

DO NOT

USE!!