{"id":388,"date":"2015-04-21T19:06:10","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T23:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/3-5-apostrophes\/"},"modified":"2021-01-13T12:19:02","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T17:19:02","slug":"3-5-apostrophes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/3-5-apostrophes\/","title":{"raw":"3.5 Apostrophes","rendered":"3.5 Apostrophes"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Identify the uses of apostrophes.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Correctly use apostrophes in sentences.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    An apostrophe (\u2019)<\/a><\/span> is a punctuation mark that is used with a noun to show possession or to indicate where a letter has been left out to form a contraction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Possession<\/h2>\r\n

    An apostrophe and the letter s<\/em> indicate who or what owns something. To show possession with a singular noun, add \u2019s<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Jen\u2019s<\/strong> dance routine mesmerized everyone in the room.<\/p>\r\n

    The dog\u2019s<\/strong> leash is hanging on the hook beside the door.<\/p>\r\n

    Jess\u2019s<\/strong> sister is also coming to the party.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Notice that singular nouns that end in s<\/em> still take the apostrophe s<\/em> (\u2019s<\/em>) ending to show possession.<\/p>\r\n

    To show possession with a plural noun that ends in s<\/em>, just add an apostrophe (\u2019). If the plural noun does not end in s<\/em>, add an apostrophe and an s<\/em> (\u2019s<\/em>).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Plural noun that ends in<\/strong> s<\/em>:<\/strong> The drummers\u2019<\/strong> sticks all moved in the same rhythm, like a machine.<\/p>\r\n

    Plural noun that does not end in<\/strong> s<\/em>:<\/strong> The people\u2019s<\/strong> votes clearly showed that no one supported the management decision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Contractions<\/h2>\r\n

    A contraction<\/a><\/span> is a word that is formed by combining two words. In a contraction, an apostrophe shows where one or more letters have been left out. Contractions are commonly used in informal writing but not in formal writing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    I do not like ice cream.<\/p>\r\n

    I don\u2019t<\/strong> like ice cream.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Notice how the words do<\/em> and not<\/em> have been combined to form the contraction don\u2019t<\/em>. The apostrophe shows where the o<\/em> in not<\/em> has been left out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    We will see you later.<\/p>\r\n

    We\u2019ll<\/strong> see you later.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Look at the chart for some examples of commonly used contractions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    aren\u2019t<\/td>\r\nare not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    can\u2019t<\/td>\r\ncannot<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    doesn\u2019t<\/td>\r\ndoes not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    don\u2019t<\/td>\r\ndo not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    isn\u2019t<\/td>\r\nis not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    he\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nhe will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nI will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    she\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nshe will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    they\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nthey will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    you\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nyou will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    it\u2019s<\/td>\r\nit is, it has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    let\u2019s<\/td>\r\nlet us<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    she\u2019s<\/td>\r\nshe is, she has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    there\u2019s<\/td>\r\nthere is, there has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    who\u2019s<\/td>\r\nwho is, who has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Tip<\/h4>\r\n

    Be careful not to confuse it\u2019s<\/em> with its<\/em>. It\u2019s<\/em> is a contraction of the words it<\/em> and is<\/em>. Its<\/em> is a possessive pronoun.<\/p>\r\n

    It\u2019s cold and rainy outside. (It is cold and rainy outside.)<\/p>\r\n

    The cat was chasing its tail. (Shows that the tail belongs to the cat.)<\/p>\r\n

    When in doubt, substitute the words it is<\/em> in a sentence. If sentence still makes sense, use the contraction it\u2019s<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Exercise 1<\/h3>\r\n

    On your own sheet of paper, correct the following sentences by adding apostrophes. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n \t
    1. \u201cWhat a beautiful child! She has her mothers eyes.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. My brothers wife is one of my best friends.<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. I couldnt believe it when I found out that I got the job!<\/li>\r\n \t
    4. My supervisors informed me that I wouldnt be able to take the days off.<\/li>\r\n \t
    5. Each of the students responses were unique.<\/li>\r\n \t
    6. Wont you please join me for dinner tonight?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n