11.6: Apostrophes
- Page ID
- 6532
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We use apostrophes to indicate a possessive noun. Follow these rules to create possessive nouns with apostrophes.
- Add [‘s] to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in –s).
Ex. the owner’s insurance, the waitress’s coat - Add [‘s] to the plural forms that do not end in –s.
Ex. the children’s game, the people’s opinion - Add [‘] to the end of plural nouns that end in –s.
Ex. the three friends’ cars, the workers’ benefits - Add [‘s] to the end of compound words.
Ex. my brother-in-law’s money - Add [‘s] to the last noun to show joint possession of an object.
Ex. Tom and Monica’s house
Apostrophes are also used in contractions. We define a contraction as a word in which one or more letters have been omitted. The apostrophe shows this omission.
Examples
- don’t = do not
- I’m = I am
- he’ll = he will
- you’re = you are
- won’t = will not
- could’ve = could have
Review Questions
For each sentence, insert missing apostrophes or omit unnecessary apostrophes.
- Jack's and Jill's hill is nothing more than a mound of dirt on the southwest corner of Farmer Johns land.
- One's labor is proportional to ones' wealth.
- George shouldn't say that he'll be in the library when he obviously wont.
- Ill be back.
- Who'll referee those kid's soccer game if not for you're brother.