Apostrophes have three main uses:
- To indicate possession
- To indicate an omission of letters or numbers
- To separate the s from plural letters/numbers and abbreviations
followed by periods.
|
| Apostrophes are always used with possessive nouns. |
| Singular nouns are followed by an 's |
Chris's
poem
boy's room
director's desk
|
| Plural nouns which end in "s" are followed by an apostrophe |
girls'
shoes
Jones' house
dancers' dressing room
|
| Plural nouns which do not end in "s" are followed by an 's |
children's
school
mice's maze
women's group
|
| Do not use apostrophes with possessive pronouns (my, your, their, her, its, yours, theirs, ours, hers, his, etc.) |
their
room
our home
its paw
|
| Contractions always require apostrophes to indicate the omission of letters. |
it is = it's
was not = wasn't
he is = he's
1999 = '99
|
| Apostrophes are used to separate the s from plural letters/numbers and abbreviations followed by a title |
She made three
A's
My phone number has four 2's
One of the Ph.D.'s came forward first in the commencement.
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| Apostrophes Practice |
| Add
apostrophes where appropriate in the following sentences. Some
of the sentences are correct. If no apostrophes are needed,
mark the sentence "correct". |
- The kitten slept on the childs bed.
- The Smiths children were all good singers.
- He made three As for the semester.
- Shell start college next semester.
- Shes determined to make all As.
- The mother picked up the childrens toys
- The girls wanted to play basketball.
- Theres no substitute for good preparation.
- Theyre wondering if the boys car is in his driveway.
- His testimony was that he hadnt been there since the summer
of 89.
- Shes willing to go, but theyve already left.
- All of the students parents would be arriving throughout
the day.
- One of the M.D.s got into a debate with one of the Ph.D.s.
- The boys finished their homework early so that they could
watch the game.
- She found the street, but couldnt remember if the address
had two 3s or three 2s.
- You could hear the mices squeaks
from the condemned kitchen.
- I would have borrowed Janes book, but hers was an older
version.
- The womens restroom is to the right.
- Tom and Bill have both said theyll be there.
- Im not going unless youre coming.
- Its getting late, and I havent finished my homework yet.
- She mistakenly thought Joans book was hers.
- Johns novel is based on his parents experience of immigrating
to the United States.
- Theyre eager to go ahead and announce
their decision.
- The childrens room was painted in bright reds, yellows,
and blues.
(click here to see answer key)
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