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GETTING IT WRITE​
HSC Middle School English Resource Centre
Apostrophes
APOSTROPHES TO SHOW POSSESSION
To make a singular word possessive (make something belong to it), add an apostrophe and an s.
Example: the ball that belongs to John -> John’s ball
Add an apostrophe to the end of a plural noun that ends in s to make it possessive.
Example: the game belonging to the boys -> the boys’ game
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: if the plural noun doesn’t end in s, add apostrophe s to make it possessive.
Example: the car belonging to the women ->the women’s car
APOSTROPHES IN CONTRACTIONS
A contraction is formed by making two words into one. This is done by removing one or more letters and adding an apostrophe where the letters have been taken out.
Example: is not -> isn’t
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