Apostrophes

1. Apostrophes

2. When do you use an apostrophe? With Contractions do not = don’t it is = it’s she will = she’ll I have = I’ve

3. Use an apostrophe to show ownership or possession. The desk of Kathleen or Kathleen’s desk The toy of Karen or Karen’s toy The time of an hour or an hour’s time

4. For singular nouns, simply use ‘s The book’s author Book is singular, so you just add ‘s

5. For a singular noun ending in –s, then you add ‘s • James’s car James is singular, so you add ‘s • the grass’s color grass is singular, so you add ‘s

6. If the noun is plural and ends in –s, add only an apostrophe. • All four teams’ colors Teams is plural,so you just add an apostrophe at the end. • Cats’ baskets Cats is plural, so you just add an apostrophe.

7. If the noun is plural but does NOT end in –s, then you add ‘s • Children’s games Children is plural, so you add ‘s. • Mice’s tracks Mice is plural, so you add ‘s.

8. They’re going to the mall. Their = That is their house. They’re = they are Who’s = who is Who’s going to the party? Whose= Whose book is that? It’s = it is It’s almost time for Christmas! its = The school wanted to thank its students.