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