Learning for Life

Punctuation - Apostrophes

Think punctuation isn’t worth learning think again because without punctuation English is very difficult to comprehend. Let’s try that again: Think punctuation isn’t worth learning? Think again. Because without punctuation, English is very difficult to comprehend. 

Punctuation is essential and is used to convey and clarify meaning of written language. It is such simple marks as the full stop or the comma, and the more complex ones of semicolons and hyphens. Getting punctuation wrong can change the entire meaning of a sentence. This is why it is important to model good writing and punctuation at home with our children.

This newsletter’s focus is apostrophes.

Apostrophes (’) are used for two reasons. In this section, you will see that they are used to indicate missing letters in words or phrases.

Apostrophes are used:

1. to indicate missing letters

For example:

(they + have = they’ve; are + not = aren’t; they + will = they’ll)

• You can't have it. 
• Don't do that! 
• I'd like an ice-cream, please. 
• We'd better hurry.

Apostrophes to shorten

Apostrophes are often used to show that letters have been left out of words.

e.g.: I’m = I am                                          It’s = It is

      I’ve = I have                                         You’ll = You will

      He’ll = He will                                      She’s = She is

      O’clock = of the clock                          The dog’s barking = The dog is barking

TASK: Shorten the words in these sentences by using apostrophes when necessary.

1. It is a beautiful sunny day. 
   _________________________________________
2. He is going to regret stealing the money from his brother. 
   _________________________________________
3. They are the best friends in the world.
   _________________________________________
4. The dinner is ready.
   _________________________________________
5. I am the fastest sprinter in my entire school.
   _________________________________________

TASK: Now rewrite the following passage spelling out the verbs in full instead of using apostrophes to shorten them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apostrophes (’) are used for two reasons.  In this section, you will see that they are used to indicate possession.

Apostrophes are used:

1. to indicate possession

For example:

• The girl’s bicycle
• My friend’s house

Rules of possession

Singular:                                                       

When the possessor is single, we indicate possession by using an apostrophe followed by the letter s:

The man’s coat

My brother’s car

Plural:

When the possessors are plural, the apostrophe is placed after the final s:

The boys’ bicycles

My cousins’ parents

When names end with the letter ‘s’, either use is acceptable:

James’ wife or James’s wife

Some irregular plurals

Some words do not form their plurals in the regular way.  They have irregular plurals:

Man – men                  foot – feet                   tooth – teeth               goose – geese 

Woman – women       child – children           mouse – mice

Apostrophes for possession

There are some rules to learn to ensure that you use the apostrophe for possession correctly.

TASK: Rewrite the sentences to include an apostrophe.

Example: The coat belongs to the man = the man’s coat. (Man’s = there is only one man)

1. The bicycle belongs to my brother.
   _________________________________________
2. The web belongs to the spider.
   _________________________________________
3. The field belongs to the school.
   _________________________________________
4. The computer belongs to the receptionist.
   _________________________________________
5. The car belongs to my uncle.
   _________________________________________

TASK: Rewrite the sentences to include an apostrophe – remember to look at the s.

Example: The dogs’ bones are hidden in the garden. (Dogs’ = more than one dog)

1. The players changing room was like a pig sty after the game.
   _________________________________________
2. The teachers staffroom is very noisy at breaktime.
   _________________________________________
3. The soldiers tank roared across the landscape.
   _________________________________________
4. The doctors surgery was very busy on a Monday morning.
   _________________________________________
5. One of Dickens characters in ‘Oliver Twist’ is the Artful Dodger.
   _________________________________________

TASK: Write sentences containing possessive apostrophes.  Make sure you are aware of whether it is singular or plural possessive.

Example: a cat + paw = The cat’s paw had a thorn in it.

1. the bicycle + tyre
   _______________________________________________________________
2. Mr Jones + jacket        
   _______________________________________________________________      
3. three horses + field
   _______________________________________________________________
4. my sister + dress
   _______________________________________________________________
5. fox + prey                    
   _______________________________________________________________

Fabiano Nigro

Learning Specialist