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Apostrophes . Singular Nouns. When you want to show possession with a singular noun (there’s just one of something), you add an apostrophe and an s Examples: The hiker’s boots (there’s just one hiker) The baby’s bottle (there’s just one baby) Mr. Moss’s collection (there’s just one Mr. Moss).
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Singular Nouns • When you want to show possession with a singular noun (there’s just one of something), you add an apostrophe and an s • Examples: • The hiker’s boots (there’s just one hiker) • The baby’s bottle (there’s just one baby) • Mr. Moss’s collection (there’s just one Mr. Moss)
Plural Noun • When you want to show possession with a plural noun (there’s more than one of something), you can either… A.) just add the apostrophe • You do this when the plural noun ends in s, like wheels, raccoons, and Robinsons B.) add the apostrophe and an s • You do this when the plural noun does NOT end in s, like mice, women, and geese
Plural Nouns (cont’d) Examples: • When the plural noun ends in s… • All of the wheels’ rims fell off. • The two raccoons’ tracks. • The Robinsons’ backyard is big. (more than one Robinson) • When the plural noun does NOT end in s… • The mice’s food was cold. • The women’s department was busy. • The geese’s migration pattern was complicated.
Possessive Personal Pronouns • Possessive personal pronouns do NOT require an apostrophe • The red van is ours. • Which bicycle is yours? • Its headlight has been repaired. • It is parked next to mine. • The purse is hers.
Possessive Personal Pronouns (cont’d) • The possessive form of who is whose, NOTwho’s. • Whose football is that? VSWho’s on the team? • Do not write it’s for its or they’re for their. • Don’t step on its tail. VSIt’s my birthday! • That is their cake. VSThey’re here for the party.
Indefinite Pronouns • Indefinite pronouns showing possession require an apostrophe and an s. • Example: • somebody’s helmet • another’s idea • no one’s fault
Apostrophes in Compound Words and Phrases • In compound words, names of organizations and businesses, and words showing joint possession, only the last word is possessive in form. • Compound word: sister-in-law’s job • Organization: Diabetes Association’s letter • Business: Sleepytime Inn’s swimming pool • Joint Possession: Cindy and Mark’s report (they wrote it together) • Sally’s and my report (we wrote it together); Sally’s and your/his/her report
Showing Individual Possession • When two or more people possess something individually, each of their names is possessive in form. • Examples: • Ms. Sheahen’s and Ms. Arant’s classes (we each have our own separate classes) • John’s and Laura’s sandwiches (they each have their own separate sandwiches)