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Apostrophe

The document provides rules for the proper use of apostrophes in the English language. It discusses using apostrophes to show possession for singular and plural nouns. It also covers using apostrophes for contractions and indicating omitted letters or figures. Examples are given for each rule to demonstrate correct apostrophe usage.

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169 views2 pages

Apostrophe

The document provides rules for the proper use of apostrophes in the English language. It discusses using apostrophes to show possession for singular and plural nouns. It also covers using apostrophes for contractions and indicating omitted letters or figures. Examples are given for each rule to demonstrate correct apostrophe usage.

Uploaded by

api-252729009
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ______________

Apostrophes
Rule 1:
Use an apostrophe to show possession with a singular noun. Add an apostrophe plus
the letter s.
Example:
A woman’s hat (The hat belongs to the woman)
Mr. Gray’s House (The house belongs to Mr. Gray)

Possessor is plural, but does not end in an “s.”


The children’s playground
The women’s movement

Rule 2:
For all nouns ending in “s” (lens, cactus, bus), add only an apostrophe, without
adding an “s.”

Example:
The boss’ wife (The wife of the boss)
The class’ hours (The hours of the class)
The boys’ hats (More than one boy)
The babies’ bibs (more than one baby)

*Do not use an apostrophe to pluralize a noun.


Incorrect:
We’ve had many happy Christmas’
We had to take three bus’

Correct:
We’ve had many happy Christmases
We had to take three buses

Rule 3:
Use an apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is placed where a letter or
letters have been removed.

Example:
It’s Who’s You’re
(MEANS IT IS or IT HAS)
Doesn’t You’ve There’s
Wouldn’t Can’t They’re
Rule 4:
It indicates time or quantity (possession)
Example:
In one week’s time
Four yards’ worth

Rule 5:
It indicated the omission of figures in dates
Example:
The summer of ‘68
The fall of ‘04
I was born in the winter of ’88.

Rule 6: It indicated the omission of letters


*This happens in novels when dialogue is showing accents or slang.
Example:
“We can’t go to Jo’burg”
“Any soda left in the ’fridge, mom?”

Other uses
1. In Irish names
O’Donnell
The “O” comes from the word “ua” meaning grandson

2. Indicated the plural of letters


How many r’s are in the word tomorrow?
How many l’s are in parallel?

3. It indicates plural of words


What are the do’s and don’t’s?
Are there too many but’s and and’s at the beginnings of sentences these days?

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