The document discusses the proper use of apostrophes, including using apostrophes for contractions and showing possession. It provides examples of forming the possessive case for both singular and plural nouns, and notes some exceptions. It also includes practice examples to identify correct and incorrect use of apostrophes in sentences related to holidays and celebrations.

1. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills: A Workbook for
Writers, Form A
John Langan
Apostrophe

2. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• There are two different uses of the
apostrophe.
• Use the apostrophe with a contraction, a
shortened form of a word.
• Use the apostrophe to show ownership or
possession.
• A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand
out in a crowd.
Apostrophe

3. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Contractions
• When two words are combined to make
one word, an apostrophe is used to show
where letters have been omitted. This is
called a contraction.
• Contractions are reserved for informal
occasions.
I + have = I’ve
did + not = didn’t
let + us = let’s

4. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Note:
The word it’s
has two meanings.
It is
OR
It has
It`s too late to watch a
cowboy movie.
(It is too late.)
It`s been years since
cowboy songs were
popular.
(It has been years.)
Contractions

5. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• You MUST put the apostrophe where the
letters are missing.
• INCORRECT:
– Cowboys do’nt ride on the same type of saddles
as your cousin does.
• Correct:
– Cowboys don’t ride on the same type of saddles
as your cousin does.
The apostrophe shows the “o” has been left out.
Understanding Contractions

6. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Special Situation
The combination will + not
= won’t
This is an unusual
contraction.
Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.

7. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Four Special Contractions
they’re= they are
it’s=it is or it has
you’re=you are
who’s=who is
their=belonging to them
its=belonging to it
your=belonging to you
whose=belonging to whom
Contractions Possessive Words
Don’t confuse certain tricky
contractions with similar sounding
possessive words!

8. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Singular Nouns
• Use the apostrophe and an - s to form the
possessive case.
– A cowboy’s work is never done.
– Frederic Remington’s art reflected the
spirit of the wild west.

9. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• For singular nouns ending in -s, it is
acceptable to form the possessive by
adding -’s or by adding only an
apostrophe. The writer must be consistent
throughout a piece of writing.
– Columbus’ horses, which he brought
on his second voyage, were the first to
arrive in the new world.
Singular Nouns

10. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Plural Nouns
• Form the possessive of plural nouns by
adding an apostrophe.
– The wranglers’ gloves protected their hands
from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold.
• Indicate the possessive of plural nouns
not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe
and an -s.
– Men’s clothing often indicates their
profession.

11. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Do Not Use The Apostrophe
• Possessive pronouns and possessive
adjectives do not use apostrophes.
– We can recognize an Appaloosa by its
distinct spots.
– The spurs are ours.

12. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• Children and
adults throughout
the world
celebrate a variety
of holidays.
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).
Correct
Apostrophe Practice Review

13. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• American towns
display fireworks as a
highlight of patriotic
celebrations.
Correct
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

14. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• My fathers biggest
barbecue is held on
the Fourth of July.
Incorrect:
father’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

15. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
The United States postal
service distributed a
stamp commemorating
Mexicos Cinco de
Mayo.
Incorrect:
Mexico’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

16. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Many countries
celebrate religious
events as national
holidays.
NOTE:
Countries is the plural
form of country.
Our country’s most popular
holiday is
Christmas.
Correct
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

17. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Saint James Day is a
festive day in Spain.
Incorrect:
James’
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

18. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Germanys and Italys
religious celebrations are
sometimes similar, even
when it comes to food.
Incorrect:
Germany’s/
Italy’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

19. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
Christmas Eve and its
traditional meal of
seven fishes has a
basis in Germany
and Italy.
Correct
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

20. Apostrophe
© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sentence Skills, Form A, 7E
• In the 70s people did not
decorate their homes for
holidays, such as Saint
Patricks Day and
Halloween, to the extent
that they do today.
Incorrect:
’70s/Patrick’s
Apostrophe Practice Review
Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).