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APOSTROPHES

An apostropheis primarily used as part of a word with the letter sto show possessionor to indicate

that letters in a contractionhave been omitted.

POSSESSIVES (indicating ownership):

1. In English, the apostrophe (')plus sforms the possessive singular of all nouns and the possessiveplural of all nouns not ending in s.

singular: man'srole ohn'sparty

plural: men'srole children'splayground

!. "se the apostrophe alone to form the plural nouns ending in s.

dogs'fur Aguilars

'house#

boys'pants oneses'cars#$%&E: If an 's is added to a surname to refer to the whole family's belongings or as a greeting card signature, do not include an apostrophe: e.,

&he Aguilars (or *miths or oneses) live there. *eason's +reetings, &he ighsmiths

-. &o form the possessive singular of indefinite pronouns, use the apostrophe plus s.

everyone'ssuccess one'sleg

somebody'shouse anybody'shome

$%&E:

a. "se the -spossessive with nouns referring to persons and living things.

"se an of phrase for the possessive of nouns referring to inanimate ob/ects.

Aw0ward: &he chair's bac0 was bro0en.Improved: &he bac0 of the chair was bro0en.

b. $ouns or pronouns which modify gerunds are usually possessive.

ary'ssinging irritated &om.

ohn's laughter attracted attention.

c. 2hen forming the possessive, avoid unpronounceable duplication of sound.

Aw0ward: conscience's sa0e

Improved: conscience'sa0e

Aw0ward: 3laudins's feast

Improved: 3laudins'feast

CONTRACTIONS:

3ontractions are two words condensed into one by replacing a letter or group of letters with anapostrophe. (4emember, in formal5academic writing contractions should not be used.)

I am I'm you are you're

it is it's he is he's

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will not won't they have they've

should have should've there is there's

you are you're we were we're

they are they're who is who's

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APOSTROPHE EXERCISES

POSSESSIVES I: 3hange the phrases below into possessives by using 'sor by adding an apostrophe.

EXAP!E: the "oo# of the professor the professor's "oo#

1. the idea of my brother

!. the horse of the policeman

-. the canopy of my friend

6. the balloon of ary

7. the obedience of *usan

8. the feeding of the babies

9. the lids of the cans

. the spar0le of the lights

;. the home of my nephews

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8. they would

9. he has

. they have

;. should not

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9. the ends of the hoses

. the success of everyone

;. the determination of the players

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7. she's 8. they'd

9. he's

. they've

;. shouldn't

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