This document discusses the proper use of apostrophes to show possession and contractions. It explains that apostrophes are used to show missing letters in contractions and to indicate possession or ownership. For singular possessive nouns, an apostrophe-s is added. For plural nouns ending in s, only an apostrophe is added. For plural nouns not ending in s, an apostrophe-s is added. Compound nouns showing joint possession take an apostrophe-s after the second noun only, while individual possession uses a double possessive.

1. Apostrophes

2. To Show Contraction
When you join two
words together, use
an apostrophe to
show where the
letter(s) have been
removed
*Contractions should
not be used in formal
writing.
I have = I’ve
Does not = doesn’t
He has/is = He’s
It is/has = It’s
Could have = could’ve
Do not = don’t
Are not = aren’t
April 14, 2014 2

3. Apostrophes to Show Possession
Possession means ownership. We use an
APOSTROPHE to show possession.
Bill’s jacket – the jacket belongs to Bill
Susan’s dress – the dress belongs to Susan
The Smiths’ home – the home belongs the Smiths
Jason and Deb’s children – The children belong to Jason and
Deb
Jayden’s and Sophia’s bikes –Jayden has his own bike and
Sophia has her own bike
The item belongs to whatever comes
before the apostrophe.

4. The Smiths’ The
The Smiths’ home
was a dream come
true.
Bill’s dog was his
best friend.

5. Singular Possessive Nouns
The possessive form of
a singular noun is an
apostrophe followed by
the letter "s.“
• Noun + Apostrophe +
S
Hector’s homework
Kyoko’s book
Lydia’s instructor
Lily’s cat
April 14, 2014 5

6. Becky’s purse—apostrophe shows
ownership

7. Plural Possessive Nouns
If the noun is made
plural by adding –s or
–es, put an
apostrophe after the -
s
The boys’ bikes
The students’ books
April 14, 2014 7

8. Girls’ purses
Ladies’ purses
For nouns made plural by
adding an s, add only an
apostrophe at the end.

9. Plural Possessives
If the noun has an
irregular plural form,
add the apostrophe
and an ‘s
The children’s toys
The women’s restroom
The mice’s tails
April 14, 2014 9

10. Women’s pursesFor nouns made plural by
an irregular form, add an
apostrophe and an –s
The
plural
form of
woman is
women.

11. Possession with Compound Nouns
When a sentence
indicates joint
ownership in a
compound
construction, the
possessive form is
attached only to the
second noun:
Jason and Deb’s son – the
son belong to both Jason and Deb
Michelle and Mark’s
dog – the dog belongs to both Mike
and Mark
April 14, 2014 11

12. Possession with Compound Nouns
When a sentence
indicates individual
ownership in a
compound
construction, this is
indicated by a double
possessive
Kyle’s and Jessica’s
microscopes
Ken’s and Tom’s suits
April 14, 2014 12

13. Singular Singular Possessive Plural Plural Possessive
Boy Boy’s Boys Boys’
Mary Mary’s Marys Marys’
Boss Boss’s Bosses Bosses’
Nurse Nurse’s Nurses Nurses’
Sister-in-law Sister-in-law’s Sisters-in-law Sisters-in-law’s
Child Child’s Children Children’s
Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief’s Editors-in-chief Editors-in-chief’s
Attorney general Attorney general’s Attorney generals Attorney generals’
Woman Woman’s Women Women’s
Teacher Teacher’s Teachers Teachers’
Daughter Daughter’s Daughters Daughters’
Singular, Singular Possessive, Plural, and
Plural Possessive Forms