Apostrophe

1. Apostrophe Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form AJohn Langan

2. Apostrophe • There are two uses of theapostrophe. • Use the apostrophe with acontraction, a shortened form of a word. • Use the apostrophe to show ownership or possession. • A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand out in a crowd.

3. Contractions • When two words are combined to make one word, an apostrophe is used to showwhere letters have been omitted. This is called a contraction.

4. Contractions It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) Note: The word it’s has two meanings. It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.) It is OR It has

5. Understanding Contractions • You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing. • INCORRECT: • Cowboysdo’nt ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. • Correct: • Cowboysdon’t ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. The apostrophe shows the “o” has been left out.

6. they’re= they are their=belonging to them it’s=it is or it has its=belonging to it you’re=you are your=belonging to you who’s=who is whose=belonging to whom Special Contractions Don’t confuse certain tricky contractions with similar sounding possessive words! Contractions Possessive Words

7. Singular Nouns • Use the apostrophe and an - s to form the possessive case. • A cowboy’s work is never done. • Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west.

8. Singular Nouns • For singular nouns ending in -s, it is acceptable to form the possessive by adding -’sorby adding only an apostrophe. The writer must beconsistentthroughout a piece of writing. • Columbus’ horses, which he brought on his second voyage, were the first to arrive in the new world.

9. Plural Nouns • Form the possessive of plural nouns by adding an apostrophe. • The wranglers’ gloves protected their hands from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold. • Indicate the possessive of plural nouns not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe and an -s. • Men’s clothing often indicates their profession.

10. Do Not Use The Apostrophe • Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives do not use apostrophes. • We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots. • The spurs are ours.

11. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays. Correct

12. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations. Correct

13. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July. Incorrect: father’s

14. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo. Incorrect: Mexico’s

15. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays. NOTE: Countries is the plural form of country. Our country’s most popular holiday is Christmas. Correct

16. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain. Incorrect: James’

17. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food. Incorrect: Germany’s/ Italy’s

18. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy. Correct

19. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • In the 70s people did not decorate their homes for holidays, such as Saint Patricks Day and Halloween, to the extent that they do today. Incorrect: ’70s/Patrick’s