Apostrophes

1. Apostrophes When and when not to use them.

2. Apostrophes of omission. I can not come to the party. I can’t come to the party. Can not becomes can’t. The apostrophe shows that there are letters missing.

3. More examples of apostrophes of omission. Jack would not play with his baby brother. Jack wouldn’t play with his baby brother. Emma did not want to eat the unhealthy chocolate cake. Emma didn’t want to eat the unhealthy chocolate cake.

4. have not they will shall not I have you are haven’t they’ll shan’t I’ve you’re What do these words become when you shorten them?

5. Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve He’d finished the work when….. She’d have done it, if she’d known. Would have NOT would of Could have Should have He had finished…. She would have done it, if she had known. What is the longer version of these shortened words?

6. Check these for accuracy: did’nt we’ll should’nt didn’t we’ll (correct) shouldn’t Make sure the apostrophe is in the correct place.

7. Its and it’s So many people get this wrong!!! The apostrophe is only used to show ‘it is’. It’s sunny today. It’s very kind of you to give me your last sweet. “It’s full of wonderful things,” exclaimed Howard Carter after discovering Tutankhamun’s tomb.

8. Apostrophes for possession. Mrs Clarke’s computer – the computer belongs to Mrs Clarke and there is only one Mrs Clarke, so the apostrophe goes before the ‘s’ Oliver’s bag – the bag belongs to Oliver. Bob’s football boots – the boots belong to Bob. Julie’s toy dalek– the dalek belongs to Julie.

9. When things belong to more than one person: When more than one person is involved, the apostrophe comes after the ‘s’. The boys’ cloakroom – more than one boy. The players’ changing room – more than one player. The teachers’ staffroom – more than one teacher. The women’s house – plural of woman is women The children's hats – plural of child is children The teeth's roots – plural of tooth is teeth

10. Janes shoes Nicks new car The cats whiskers (one cat) The horses stables (6 horses) The raiders boat (lots of raiders) Jane’s shoes Nick’s new car The cat’s whiskers The horses’ stables The raiders’ boat Where should the apostrophe go?

11. An apostrophe after a name ending in –s. • There are conflicting policies and theories about how to show possession when writing such nouns. The English Department teaches the following way: Simply put an apostrophe after someone’s name ending in -s i.e. Mr Jones’ cat. Lewis’ bag This is the more traditional way of using the apostrophe and looks ‘cleaner’.

12. Regular Nouns • These are nouns that form their plurals by adding either the letter -s or -es(girl, girls; letter, letters; actress, actresses; etc.). To show plural possession, simply put an apostrophe after the s. • Correct:girls' night out (girl + s + apostrophe) • Incorrect:girl's night out (implies only one girl) • Correct:two actresses' roles (actress + es + apostrophe) • Incorrect:two actress's roles

13. Regular Nouns • Do not use an apostrophe + s to make a regular noun plural. • Incorrect:Apostrophe's are confusing. • Correct:Apostrophes are confusing. • Incorrect:We've had many happy Christmas's. • Correct:We've had many happy Christmases.

14. Here are some typical errors. Can you spot them? Fish and chip’s The car’s were on the road. Half price clothe’s I saw a dog with it’s bone. Lucys book’s were on the table. Fish and chips The cars were on the road. Half price clothes I saw a dog with its bone. Lucy’s books were on the table. Some common errors involving apostrophes;