Apostrophes English 102 Copy PDF

English 102 – Possession/Apostrophes ⦿ Spring 2025 ⦿ Essential Question: How can I explain the rules of possession, and I can apply them to my writing?  THE MIGHTY APOSTROPHE The apostrophe has only a handful of uses, but these uses...

English 102 – Possession/Apostrophes ⦿ Spring 2025 ⦿ Essential Question: How can I explain the rules of possession, and I can apply them to my writing?  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 (singular & plural nouns) 2. to show contractions  Rule #1 – Singular Possessive Apostrophe When one person is possessing something, you add an apostrophe and an s to the end of the name. For Example: -Leah’s leftover pizza -Mrs. Whitcomb’s class -Johnny’s baseball mitt Now, create your OWN example: Noredink Example:  Rule #2 – Singular Possessive Apostrophe with words ending in -s When a word ends in an –s, you have two options for adding possession. You may add an apostrophe to the end of the word OR an apostrophe and an s. For Example: -Thomas’ sprite or Thomas’s sprite -Lucas’ basketball shoes or Lucas’s basketball shoes -Zeus’ mighty trident or Zeus’s mighty trident Now, create your OWN example: Noredink Example:  Rule #3 – Plural Possessive Apostrophe After making a word plural such as going from student to students, then you add an apostrophe AFTER the s. For Example: -The twenty students’ bikes were stolen. -There were seven kids. All of the kids’ stomachs were growling. -Everyone at the hospital gathered together. The doctors’ days were filled with meetings. Now, create your OWN example: Noredink Example:  Rule #4 – Irregular Plural Possessive Apostrophe Not every plural word has an s on the end of it. There are many irregulars; when this is the case, you add an apostrophe and s at the end of it (similar to singular possessive). For Example: -The deer’s grass was growing yellow. -The geese’s wings got clipped. -The men’s sweatshirts were covered in dirt. Let’s make a list of irregulars: mice, sheep, tuna, aircraft, bison, feet Noredink Example:  Rule #5 – Family Last Names When you see the last name of a family, consider it to be plural, because more than one person makes up a family. For Example: - Make sure you cut the Schroeders’ lawn when they are on vacation. - It’s the Levitts’ turn to bring food to the party. Noredink Example:  Rule #6 – Others, Each Other’s, Others’ The phrase “others” refers to a group of people and shouldn’t take an apostrophe. For Example: -Dave told the others about our plan to paint the bus. The phrase “each other’s” requires and apostrophe before the “S.” For Example: -Dave and his friend could finish each other’s sentences. The phrase “others’” refers to a group of people who possess something together. For Example: Dave borrowed the others’ notebooks for the debate tournament.  Rule #7 - Contractions Use an apostrophe to indicate a contraction. For example: Cannot = Can’t Will not = Won’t Do not = Don’t Who is = Who’s ** Be careful not to confuse these with possessives. Noredink Example:  Final Reminder: Plural and Possessive are NOT the same. For Example: The cheerleaders are practicing today. The cheerleaders’ practices have been rescheduled. How can you explain why the second sentence needs an apostrophe and the first one does not? Now, create your OWN example:  Apostrophe Practice Bell Ringer LT: I can fix sentences that are incorrectly using apostrophes or not using apostrophes. Rewrite the following passage and add all necessary apostrophes… Winters chilly blasts are about to give way to springs gentle breezes. Already the azaleas are budding. In fact, two bushes in my neighbors yard have begun to bloom. Golfers cover the fairways and line up on the tees, taking advantage of the warm days. Soon we will be willing spectators for one of Georgia Williams favorite sports: sunbathing. All the signs of spring are present. Whats that I hear? Is it a sneeze? If springtime comes, can allergies be far behind?  Check your work… Winter’s chilly blasts are about to give way to spring’s gentle breezes. Already the azaleas are budding. In fact, two bushes in my neighbor’s yard have begun to bloom. Golfers cover the fairways and line up on the tees, taking advantage of the warm days. Soon we will be willing spectators for one of Georgia Williams’ favorite sports: sunbathing. All the signs of spring are present. What’s that I hear? Is it a sneeze? If springtime comes, can allergies be far behind?