ApostrophesIs that plural or possessive?

How we do it

Is this our native language?

I hope not

Those are some rich bananas

So what are the rules?

Most apostrophes show possession. Do not confuse making something possessive with making it plural.

Rules for plurals to make a word not ending in s plural, add “s” to make a word ending in s plural, add “es”

Rule 1: Possessives

If the word is singular add an ‘s at the end.

Those are Alex’s toys.Don’t take the kid’s bike.

Making singular nouns possessivemore examples:

You even add an ‘s if the person’s name ends in an s.* There is Chris’s house. That is Mr. Andrus’s classroom That is my brother’s room (one brother)

* Unless you are Jesus, Zeus, or Moses Apparently these people are important enough

to only add an apostrophe Jesus’ teaching Zeus’ powers Moses’ people

Rule Two: Plural nouns

If the word is plural and doesn’t end in s, add an apostrophe and an s. (just like rule 1)

This is the children’s toy car She is in the women’s restroom. The men’s locker room stinks.

Rule Three:

If the word is plural and ends in an s, only add the apostrophe AFTER the final s.

That is the kids’ toy car That is my brothers’ room (multiple

brothers)

Rule four: Contractions

Use an apostrophe to indicate contractions (omissions of letters) It’s raining outside. ▪ It is raining outside.

We’re going to have a party.▪ We are going to have party.

Didn’t he know it was time to start?▪ Did not he know it was time to start?

That’ll be hard to do.▪ That will be hard to do.

Where we get confused

Trying to use apostrophes for possessive pronouns.

The car with the flat tire is our’s. (incorrect)

The car with the flat tire is ours.

Is that dog your’s? (incorrect) Is that dog yours?

Where we get confused

Compound subjects (joint possession) Tuesday is Tom and Jane’s anniversary. Rodger, Ed, and Tommy’s plan is the

best.

Compound subjects (individual possession) Rodger’s, Ed’s, and Tommy’s cars were

stolen. Tom’s and Sally’s clothes were ruined.

Making something plural and possessive

Make the noun plural first* Box – Boxes Goose—Geese Bush – Bushes Child—Children Jones – Joneses Sheep—Sheep

Then make it possessive based on the rules Boxes – Boxes’ Geese—Geese’s Bushes – Bushes’ Children—Children’s Joneses – Joneses’ Sheep—Sheep’s

Examples

The party is at Mr. Jones’s house. (singular)

The party is at the Joneses’ house. (plural)

Jose Sanchez’s mom got mad.

Is that the Sanchezes’ car?

FINE TUNINGApostrophes

Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural of •Letters•Abbreviations•Numbers•Words mentioned as words

Exception: Plural of letters

Italicize the letter and use regular font style for the –s ending. Two large Js were printed on the door

Do NOT italicize academic grades. He received two Ds for the first time in

his life. To avoid misreading, use an

apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase letters and the capital letters A and I. Beginning readers often confuse b’s and

d’s.

This won’t be on the ACT:

MLA NOTE:The Modern Language Association recommends using an apostrophe for the plural of both capital and lowercase letters.

J’s and p’s

Exception: Plural of Abbreviations

Do not use an apostrophe to pluralize an abbreviation Harriet has thirty DVDs on her desk. Marco earned two PhDs before his

thirtieth birthday.

Exception: Words Mentioned as Words

Generally, omit the apostrophe to form the plural of words mentioned as words.

If the word is italicized, the –s ending appears in regular type. We’ve heard enough maybes.

Words mentioned as words may also appear in quotation marks. When you choose this option, use the apostrophe. We’ve heard enough “maybe’s.”