THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The apostrophe has only a

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The apostrophe has only a handful of uses, but these uses are very important. A misplaced apostrophe can be annoying — not to mention lonely. The apostrophe is used: 1. to create possessives 2. to show contractions 3. to create some plural forms © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The apostrophe is used to create possessive forms for singular and plural nouns, especially nouns referring to people. the mayor’s car, my father’s moustache Pedrito’s sister, Joe Kennedy’s habits © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE When a noun already ends in “s, ” you can decide whether or not to use another “s” after the apostrophe. Charles’s car OR Charles’ car With multisyllabic words, don’t add another “s” after the apostrophe. Dumas’ second novel, Jesus’ birth, Socrates’ ideas, Illinois’ legislature © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE To form the possessive of an inanimate object, we’re usually better off using an “of phrase, ” but the apostrophe possessive is not impossible, especially with expressions of time and in personifications. The roar of the lion – the lion’s roar the smell of the crowd – the crowd’s smell a year’s salary, my heart’s desire, your dollar’s worth, the paper’s conclusion © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE To form the possessive of a plural noun, we pluralize first and then add the apostrophe. The Kennedys’ house The children’s playhouse The travelers’ expectations Notice that with an irregular plural, the apostrophe will come before the “s. ” © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE With compound nouns, decide whether both nouns are sharing an object or if each noun owns its own object. Daniel and Roger’s project is due tomorrow. --Here, Daniel and Roger are sharing the project, so they share the apostrophe. Lacy’s or Natalie’s parents will chaperone the dance. --Here, Lacy has her own parents and Natalie has her own parents, so they each have their own apostrophe. © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE A contraction allows us to blend sounds by omitting letters from a verb construction. The apostrophe shows where something is left out. I am a student here = I’m a student here. I have been working on the railroad. = I’ve been working on the railroad. They could have been great together. = They could’ve been great together. © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE More contraction examples: Let us go. = Let’s go. Who is there? = Who’s there? It is Dierdre. = It’s Dierdre. REMINDER: It’s is a contraction for “it is”; the possessive of it = its (no apostrophe). © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The apostrophe is also used to form the plural of digits and letters. . . The word Mississippi has four s’s. She got three A’s and two B’s last semester. She dotted all her i’s very carefully. . and to indicate omission of a number in a date: summer of ’ 99; class of ’ 38 © Capital Community College

THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The mighty apostrophe doesn’t mind being used, but it wants to be used wisely. Use it well and it will be there whenever you need it! You can now review the apostrophe and the other marks of punctuation in the Guide to Grammar and Writing. © Capital Community College

Let’s Practice! Insert apostrophes where needed. l All five students schedules had to be altered. l The sheeps wool was sold to make fashionable clothing. l Her childrens toys were scattered all over the house. l If the vehicle doesnt lose much of its value after the first year of owning it, Ill buy it. l The weather forecaster stated that its supposed to rain all weekend. © Capital Community College

Check Yourself l All five students’ schedules had to be altered. l The sheep’s wool was sold to make fashionable clothing. l Her children’s toys were scattered all over the house. l If the vehicle doesn’t lose much of its value after the first year of owning it, I’ll buy it. l The weather forecaster stated that it’s supposed to rain all weekend. © Capital Community College

More Practice l Plans made by both Breana and Nathan l Messages left for Katy and messages left for Jessica l A presentation given by both Jeanine and Will. l A birthday for Terry and a birthday for Cory. l Grades for all ninth grade students l A report from each ninth grade student © Capital Community College

Check Yourself l. Breana and Nathan’s plans l. Katy’s messages and Jessica’s messages l. Jeanine and Will’s presentation. l. Terry’s and Cory’s birthdays. l. All ninth grade students’ grades l. Each ninth grade student’s grades © Capital Community College