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    Apostrophe

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    Abiodun Timothy
    Apostrophe definition

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    Apostrophe

    Uploaded by

    Abiodun Timothy
    2 views3 pages
    Apostrophe definition

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

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    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Apostrophe definition

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    2 views3 pages

    Apostrophe

    Uploaded by

    Abiodun Timothy
    Apostrophe definition

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    *English Language*

    Week 1

    *Topic: The Use of Possessive Apostrophe*

    What is an Apostrophe?

    An apostrophe (‘) is a punctuation mark most commonly used to show possession or to form a
    contraction.

    There are a few important rules to remember when using an apostrophe to show possession, but with a
    little practice, you’ll find that this punctuation mark can easily be understood.

    Let’s look at how it breaks down:

    Case study 1

    You have a brother, and your brother has a room.

    You could say:

    This room belongs to my brother.

    But it is much easier to say:

    This is my brother’s room.

    In this sentence, we use an apostrophe to create a possessive noun. This shows your brother has
    ‘ownership’ of the room.

    Three standard rules for using an apostrophe to create a possessive noun.

    1) Add an apostrophe + s (‘s) to the end of the noun.

    This is the most common use of the apostrophe to show possession:

    1. The ball belongs to the dog.

    The dog’s ball

    2. The house belongs to my mom.

    My mom’s house

    3. The toy belongs to that child.

    That child’s toy

    2) Add only an apostrophe to the end of plural nouns ending with an ‘s’.

    1. The house belongs to my parents.

    My parents’ house.
    2. The bathroom belongs to the girls.

    The girls’ bathroom.

    3. The project belongs to the students.

    The students’ project.

    3) Add an apostrophe + s (‘s) to the end of plural nouns that do not end with an ‘s’.

    1. The homework belongs to the children.

    The children’s homework

    2. The voice belongs to the people.

    The people’s voice.

    3. The cheese belongs to the mice.

    The mice’s cheese.

    Additional Rules

    Tip #1: If two nouns are equally showing possession, only use an apostrophe on the second noun.

    It is not uncommon to apply ownership to more than one noun. In these cases, it is only necessary to
    make the last noun possessive.

    The wedding belongs to John and Jane.

    John and Jane’s wedding.

    The club belongs to the boys and girls.

    The boys and girl’s club.

    Tip #2: If two nouns are showing separate ownership, use an apostrophe on both nouns.

    At times, we might need to show nouns possessing something separately, such as studies conducted by
    two separate individuals. In these cases, it is necessary to make the possessive form of both nouns.

    The writings belong to Shakespeare and Chaucer.

    Shakespeare’s and Chaucer’s writings.

    The lunches belong to Lucy and Logan.

    Lucy’s and Logan’s lunches.

    Tip #3: When using a hyphenated noun, only make the final word of the hyphenated noun possessive.
    Words such as mother-in-law or ten-year-old are compound nouns that use hyphens to connect two or
    more words. When making the possessive form of these words, only the last word is made possessive to
    create a possessive noun.

    The recipe belongs to my mother-in-law.

    My mother-in-law’s recipe.

    The birthday belongs to the ten-year-old.

    The ten-year-old’s birthday.

    *Class Work*

    In the sentences below, select the option that accurately uses an apostrophe to show possession.

    1. That (games’/game’s) instructions are missing.

    2. The (students’/student’s) lockers were cleaned out before break.

    3. I’m going to (Sam’s and Sarah’s/ Sam and Sarah’s) house-warming party this weekend.

    4. My (glasses’/glasses’s) lens cracked after falling on the ground.

    5. Your (brother’s-in-law/brother-in-law’s) new house is just down the road.

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