© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

English Brushup, English Brushup, 3E3E

John LanganJohn Langan

ApostropheChapter NineChapter Nine

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

• There are two different uses of the apostrophe.apostrophe.

• Use the apostrophe with a contractioncontraction, a shortened form of a word.

• Use the apostrophe to show ownership or possessionpossession.

• A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand out in a crowd.out in a crowd.

Apostrophe

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

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’vedid + not = didn’tlet + us = let’s

I + have = I’vedid + not = didn’tlet + us = let’s

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Note:The wordThe word it’s it’s

has two meanings.has two meanings.

Note:The wordThe word it’s it’s

has two meanings.has two meanings.

It isIt isOROR

It hasIt has

It isIt isOROR

It hasIt has

It`s too late to watch aIt`s too late to watch acowboy movie.cowboy movie.(It is too late.)(It is too late.)

It`s too late to watch aIt`s too late to watch acowboy movie.cowboy movie.(It is too late.)(It is too late.)

It`s been years since It`s been years since cowboy songs were cowboy songs were

popular.popular.(It has been years.)(It has been years.)

It`s been years since It`s been years since cowboy songs were cowboy songs were

popular.popular.(It has been years.)(It has been years.)

Contractions

Apostrophe

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• You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing.

• INCORRECT:INCORRECT: – Cowboys do’ntdo’nt ride on the same type of saddles as

your cousin does.

• Correct:Correct:– Cowboys don’tdon’t ride on the same type of saddles as

your cousin does.

The apostrophe shows the “oo”” has been left out.

Understanding Contractions

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Special SituationThe combination will + not will + not

== won’twon’tThis is an unusual

contraction.

The combination will + not will + not == won’twon’t

This is an unusual contraction.

Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Four Special Contractions

they’re= they arethey’re= they are

it’s=it is or it hasit’s=it is or it has

you’re=you areyou’re=you are

who’s=who iswho’s=who is

their=belonging to them their=belonging to them

its=belonging to itits=belonging to it

your=belonging to youyour=belonging to you

whose=belonging to whomwhose=belonging to whom

Contractions Possessive Words

Don’t confuse certain tricky contractions with similar

sounding possessive words!

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

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.

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Do Not Use The Apostrophe

• Plurals are formed simply by adding an -s. Don’t use an apostrophe to form a plural!

– Ted’s ropes are in the car.• Ted’s has an apostrophe, since it shows

ownership. Ropes doesn’t, because it is just a plural.

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

• Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays.

Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

CorrectCorrect

Apostrophe Practice Review

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

• American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations.

CorrectCorrect

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

• My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July.

Incorrect:father’s

Incorrect:father’s

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo.

Incorrect: Mexico’s

Incorrect: Mexico’s

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays.

NOTE:Countries is the plural

form of country. Our country’s most popular

holiday isChristmas. CorrectCorrect

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain.

Incorrect: James’

Incorrect: James’

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).

Apostrophe

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food.

Incorrect: Germany’s/

Italy’s

Incorrect: Germany’s/

Italy’s

Apostrophe Practice ReviewDirections: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.).