THEAPOSTROPHEWhat the little do-hickey is really for

The APOSTROPHE is usually used for only TWO REASONS: 1. Use the apostrophe to join two

words together in a

contraction

No… not this kind!<iframe width="960" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EEhNzZMSm-g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

THIS kind of contraction Don’t = do + not

Won’t = will + not

Doesn’t = does + not

Aren’t = are + not

Joining two words together (the way we say it when we talk quickly) is a contraction

APOSTROPHES with Contractions Can always be avoided: just write out the words and don’t (do not) join them with an apostrophe!

The SECOND reason to use an apostrophe is…

2.

POSSESSION !

Wait a minute… not this kind of POSSESSION!

This kind of possession means ownership

This kind of possession means ownershipI borrowed my granny’s false teeth = whose false teeth? Granny’s

Snooki’s baby will probably be as vulgar as she is. Whose baby? Snooki’s

Whenever I go to Uncle Haha’s house, I always bring his favorite possum pie. Whose house? Uncle Haha’s

Uncle Haha eating possum pie:

The two reasons to use an APOSTROPHE

In a CONTRACTION

Is + not = Isn’t

To show OWNERSHIP

Larry’s new car is fast.

You try…Contraction or Ownership? Look at Aunt Bella’s

big backside.

Isn’t Mimi pretty in that dress?

Sometimes my brother doesn’t stink.

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Try to catch the pig’s tail.

The city’s government banned rollerblading.

PAIR UP! Add apostrophes where (and when) needed Im not saying shes a gold digger.

Lets start a riot.

The cats kittens have washed their mittens.

Sometimes when we touch, the agonys too much.

HOWEVER,

Click icon to add picture

There’s (there is) always that funky exception, right???

The apostrophe rule can look really weird if a word ends in “s” Words that end in “s”

Thomas

The Jones family

Kitten’s= 1 Kittens’ = 2 +

Boy’s car Three boys’ cars

To show that “s –ending” word with an apostrophe for ownership

Thomas’s engine

The Jones’s house(but all five Joneses)

The three kittens’ mittens

( but one kitten’s tail)

The boys’ restroom (but one boy’s toy airplane)

Try it solo!